The Research Centre for International and Comparative Studies in Education has a long and distinguished tradition of research in this multi-disciplinary field. Our research draws, most noticeably, upon the disciplines of sociology, anthropology, psychology, history and development studies, in addition to work on research and evaluation methodologies within education and across the social sciences. This reflects our commitment to bridging theoretical scholarship with studies of policy and practices (see Crossley, M, 2006).
Research carried out in recent years has attracted substantial external funding, generated ongoing collaborations, and focused largely upon the following interrelated areas:
The work of many Centre members contributes to this strand of research, though a cumulative sequence of Prof Crossley’s publications has done much to draw international attention to the Centre's contribution to the current ‘reconceptualisation’ of the field; and efforts by Profs Osborn and Broadfoot to combine quantitative and qualitative methodologies have helped to establish a distinctively Bristol comparative research profile. Work by Profs Crossley and Tikly has contributed to postcolonial scholarship within the field - and our collective work has highlighted the need to challenge the uncritical transfer of educational policy and practice world-wide.
A sequence of ESRC funded research projects (eg PACE/ENCOMPASS), examining the relationships between teacher professionalism, the nature and quality of learning and cultural context, has made an internationally acknowledged contribution to the related literature and to national debates on policy and practice in England and Wales, France and Denmark (Osborn, Broadfoot, McNess and colleagues). The dissemination of findings is currently ongoing – and Elizabeth McNess has extended her involvement as advisor to a comparative study of provision for disaffected pupils in England, the USA and Denmark. Dr Hogan-Brun's research focuses upon language, culture and education in the Baltic region and deals with the concerns of minority groups and the impact of language policies. This includes ERASMUS links with the University of Vilnius, and has attracted funding from the British Academy.
A sequence of DFID-funded research projects has built cumulatively upon successful collaborative relationships established with the University of Dar-es-Salaam and Hillary Dachi, a former doctoral student supervised by Dr Roger Garrett. These have focused upon Education, Poverty and Child Labour (Dachi & Garrett); the impact of Globalisation on Skills for Development in Rwanda and Tanzania (Tikly, Crossley, Garrett, Dachi, et al); and (in partnership with GES) Globalisation, Education and International Development (Robertson, Tikly, Crossley, Dachi, et al). Collaboration with other colleagues in the GSoE and at the University of Bath has also been facilitated – as have related ESRC sponsored doctoral studies such as Angeline Barrett’s work on teacher identity in Tanzania. Findings from two research and evaluation studies of the Kenya Primary School Management Project (PRISM) (Prof Crossley and a Kenyan team), funded by CfBT/DFID influenced policy and practice within Kenya, and led to journal and book publications. Development principles pioneered in these international, collaborative studies underpin the large, DFID funded, Research Programme Consortium (RPC) currently co-ordinated by Prof Tilkly and Dr Barrett.
This is the focus of a large DFID funded Research Programme Consortium (EdQual) that includes partners based in the UK, Africa, South Asia and Latin America. Research initiatives that are being developed in the RPC can be seen at http://www.edqual.org.
Our specialist Education in Small States Research Group has been established since 1994 and is located within ICS. This has its own website (small states) and has generated an international network, of more than 80 members, to promote academic and professional links and collaboration. Website management involves doctoral students, and includes sections for Bristol doctoral dissertation abstracts on small states and relevant publications by ICS members. Recent/ongoing research has been carried out by staff and research students in Belize (Crossley), Saint Lucia (Holmes), Papua New Guinea (Webster, Ako, Le Fanu), the Cayman Islands and Montserrat (Fisher), Trinidad and Tobago (Mills), the United Arab Emirates (Watson), the Turks and Caicos Islands (Fulford, Fulford), Botswana (Pansiri), and Mauritius (Colin).
Our research, therefore, covers theoretical, methodological and empirical dimensions and emphasises long-term collaborative partnerships and local research and evaluation capacity building. Projects include large, externally funded initiatives as well as commissioned publications and individual scholarship. Efforts are also made to build upon doctoral research in ways that generate post-doctoral opportunities (ESRC funding) and ways of supporting the on-going career development of young researchers.
Further details of specific research projects are provided in the linked, personal web sites for ICS members.
