Guthrie’s latest book, concerned with improving teaching and learning in developing countries, contains important lessons for researchers and policy actors. Like others focusing on pedagogy in the field of comparative and international education, Guthrie attaches special importance to the cultural context of teaching practice. However, unlike those who argue for the universal value of certain practices or principles – such as learner-centred education (Schweisfurth 2013) or dialogic teaching (Alexander 2008) – Guthrie denies the existence of a global ‘best practice’ in pedagogy.