Become a Member

We welcome applications for membership from teams in educational institutions, professionals working in education, community organizations and individuals who support our work

Special Offer

Join our community of practice and get your first year's membership free

Apply for membership using the form below.

Note that the renewal cost will apply only after your initial year's membership, and only if you decide to renew. You do not need to register a debit or credit card with us. All membership applications are subject to approval. Please allow up to 7 days for us to review your application.

Becoming a member

Membership of the Institute is available in two broad categories: Professional and Community.

Professional membership is designed for professionals working in education, including academics, teachers, trainers, and researchers. This includes education professionals who are retired or currently not in employment. Multiple professional members in a single educational institution or agency can join as a Professional Team, allowing for broader participation and engagement.

Community membership is available to community educators, including organizers, volunteers, activists, advocates and campaigners, or other community practitioners who may not have a formal educational role but share our commitment to transformative education and social justice. Multiple community members in a single organization can join as a Community Team. This membership promotes solidarity and collaboration between professional educators and grassroots community actors.

For Education Professionals

Professional Membership

including Professional Teams for Institutions

Professional educators, including academics, teachers, trainers and researchers (individual membership):
✅ Professional Member: £100 per year See offer*
✅ Retired professional? Select Emeritus option: £75 per year See offer*
Professional teams in educational institutions or agencies, e.g., university departments, schools, research teams (team membership):
✅ Professional Team, up to 5 Professional Members: £400 per year See offer*
✅ For additional members in your professional team membership, please indicate on your application form or contact us
Professional Membership is tailored for professionals working in education with an interest in critical pedagogy and popular education. Professional Members gain access to exclusive academic resources, collaborative opportunities, and professional development initiatives.

Educational institutions and agencies can extend membership benefits to their staff, as educators, researchers or administrators, by signing them up as a Professional Team. This membership promotes collaboration, supports professional development, and strengthens the link between educational organizations and the Institute.
Membership benefits:
  • Email bulletin
  • Access to free webinars
  • Discounts for seminars and CPD
  • Virtual membership cards
  • Webspace self-profiling
  • Discounts on premium courses
  • Free digital short courses
  • Member calls
  • Opportunities for partnership work

*Special offer: one year's membership free, subject to approval

For Community, Non-Profits and Enterprises

Community Membership

including Community Teams for Organizations

Community educators, including organizers, volunteers, activists, advocates, campaigners and other community practitioners (individual membership):
✅ Community Member: £75 per year See offer*
✅ Full-time student? Select Student option: £50 per year See offer*
Community teams in non-profit organizations, statutory organizations, community groups or businesses (team membership):
✅ Community Team, up to 5 Community Members: £300 per year See offer*  
✅ For additional members in your community team membership, please indicate on your application form or contact us
Community Membership is for community educators, including organizers, volunteers, activists, advocates and campaigners, or other community practitioners who have an interest in education and wish to engage with the Institute's resources and events. Membership is open to anyone who wishes to participate in educational discussions and activities.

Organizations who wish to engage with the Institute's resources and events, including community groups, non-profit organizations, statutory organizations and businesses, may add members of staff or volunteers as a Community Team. This membership promotes collaboration and community-based learning.
Membership benefits:
  • Email bulletin
  • Access to free webinars
  • Discounts for seminars and CPD
  • Virtual membership card
  • Webspace self-profiling
  • Discounts on premium courses
  • Free digital short courses
  • Member calls
  • Opportunities for partnership work

*Special offer: one year's membership free, subject to approval

Membership Benefits

By becoming a member, you provide valuable help to support our work. In return, we offer the following membership benefits:

  • Email bulletin
    Access to regular email bulletin giving funding opportunities, latest research, events and news.
    Membership Types: All membership types
  • Access to free webinars
    Access to our free webinars on a rnage of topics.
    Membership Types: All membership types
  • Discounts for, seminars, events and CPD
    Get a membership discount for professional development, training and events.
    Membership Types: All membership types
  • Discount on full-length courses
    Receive a 20% discount on any of our full-length premium courses.
    Membership Types: All membership types
  • Free access to digital short courses
    Free access to short courses, with at least one new course being added every 6 to 7 weeks.
    Membership Types: All membership types
  • Virtual membership card
    Online cards are free with your membership. Physical cards can be purchased for a small fee.
    Membership Types: All membership types
  • Webspace
    Access to webspace for self-profiling.
    Membership Types: All membership types
  • Member calls
    Participate in member calls on Teams.
    Membership Types: All membership types
  • Opportunities for partnership work
    Develop collaborative projects at a national or international level, including funding bids and research groups.
    Membership Types: All membership types

Additional member benefits may be added to specific membership categories.

Freire Institute uses Membermojo for online membership. Payment is made using the Stripe payment platform, or via bank transfer. Changes to address, contact, or other details are made through our online membership system.

Frequently asked questions

What is the difference between professional and community membership?

As an organization working with professionals in education, we offer professional membership to those in the sector as a core function. This reflects our role in building pedagogical resources, shaping and forming professionals, and promoting critical pedagogy. Alongside this, we have a community membership category (previously called associate membership) for those who are not education professionals but wish to work with us, support us and engage with our resources. Many are volunteers, community organizers, activists or campaigners, and they sometimes have an informal educational role which we want to respect and support. We have kept the benefits of membership very similar between the professional and community categories, but from time to time there may be some resources or activities targeted at professional members and others targeted at community members.

Can I still apply for professional membership if I am not currently working?

If your normal role involves working as an education professional, you can apply for professional membership even if you are currently out of work.

Can I add additional members to an professional team or community team membership?

Yes. If you apply for professional team or community team membership, you initially have up to five members, but you can request more members on application. Please contact us for details of fees and how to apply.

If I take advantage of the free membership offer, will I be automatically charged for the renewal after a year?

No. You will receive notifications when your renewal is due. and you will need to activate the renewal yourself. It is highly unlikely that you could purchase a membership renewal in error. However, if you do activate a paid membership renewal unintentionally, please contact us within 14 days and we will cancel the membership renewal and refund your payment.

Do you offer concessionary membership rates?

For a limited period, we are offering 12 months free membership. Beyond that, there is an emeritus rate for retired education professionals, and a student rate for community members, both of which can be selected on the membership form. For educational institutions in low-income and lower-to-middle income countries, we offer a 50% discount on Institutional Membership (this does not apply to campuses or branch sites of institutions based elsewhere). Institutions wishing to be considered for this discount should include the relevant information in the supporting details section of the membership form.
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