ESERA was formed at the European Conference on Research in Science Education held in Leeds, England, in April 1995.

The aims of ESERA are to:

• Enhance the range and quality of research and research training in science education in Europe.
• Provide a forum for collaboration in science education research between European countries.
• Represent the professional interests of science education researchers in Europe.
• Seek to relate research to the policy and practice of science education in Europe.
• Foster links between science education researchers in Europe and similar communities elsewhere in the world.