“Research in the School is conducted through the Institute for Research in the Social Sciences. IRiSS provides support for those considered research active and capable for submission to the Research Excellence Framework (REF). The Institute aims to conduct research that is relevant to the Northern Ireland policy context but is located within and contributes to international, theoretical, empirical and methodological debates. The Institute web site can be viewed at http://www.socsci.ulster.ac.uk/irss/ where Institute members and their publications are listed together with seminars planned and lectures.
The School of Education at the University of Ulster has an established tradition of innovative development and research work which has informed not only its own teacher education programmes but educational policy and practice generally in Northern Ireland and internationally.
Much of this research has been grounded in a strong commitment to the contribution education should make to a fairer and more inclusive society. In earlier years, from the 1970s onwards, the School pioneered a series of educational interventions designed to address Northern Ireland’s communal conflict, including the Schools’ Cultural Studies Project, the Religion in Ireland project, Speak Your Piece and the Social, Civic and Political Education.
Latterly, researchers in the School have expanded the geographical scope of this work to study other regions of the world which have experienced conflict. In addition, the School’s research focus has been broadened to investigate the concepts of inclusion and diversity in the context of a changing society in pursuit of greater social equity and cohesion.
The School also has a long commitment to researching the use of Information and Communication Technology in teaching and learning. Through earlier initiatives, and currently the Dissolving Boundaries project, this work, too, has contributed to greater understanding on the island of Ireland and beyond by investigating the role that virtual environments can play in inter-cultural learning.
The research of the School is focused around three clusters connected through their application to practice:
Teacher Education and Classroom Practice
Children, Young People and Inclusion
Education and Conflict
Teacher Education and Classroom Practice
Research work concentrates particularly on learning and teaching issues related to the subject specialisms represented in the School’s teacher education programmes; Geography, History, English and Drama, Media Studies, Home Economics, Physical Education, Music, Technology and Design, and Local and Global Citizenship. Research is also generated from the School’s engagement with Teaching English as a Second Language. The evaluation of ICT applications to learning and teaching is strongly featured, including a focus on the creation of learning communities linked through technology, on-line learning and the creation of e-portfolios to enhance teacher creativity and reflection.
Children, Young People and Inclusion
Inclusive educational practice has been a research focus in the School over an extended period of time with an emphasis on Special Educational Needs and social marginalisation. Currently, this work is being advanced by participation in three major initiatives.
First, the Department of Education has funded work (jointly with Queens University, Belfast) to better prepare teachers to provide effective SEN provision.
Second, the UNESCO Centre, located within the School of Education (in partnership with NUI Galway) has initiated a large scale inter-disciplinary study funded by Atlantic Philanthropies involving a research team monitoring the Welfare of Children and Young People across the island of Ireland.
Third, the School has committed itself to the exploration of the concept of restorative practices in fostering greater inclusion within schools in Northern Ireland.
Education and Conflict This longstanding research theme within the School is led by the UNESCO Chair though his involvement with a number of international organisations, including UNESCO, the World Bank and DFID. Learning from the Northern Ireland experience has subsequently informed research, policy and practice in a range of conflicted situations in Europe, Asia and Africa.
Research work related to building greater social cohesion through education in the Northern Ireland context continues with researchers working in the fields of history education, the promotion of good relations through informal education and the use of ICT to foster inter-cultural learning. Findings from each of these three areas attract international attention.
If you would like to learn more about how we can help further your studies and career opportunities, please contact us.
School of Education Research Ethics Information
“Research in the School is conducted through the Institute for Research in the Social Sciences. IRiSS provides support for those considered research active and capable for submission to the Research Excellence Framework (REF). The Institute aims to conduct research that is relevant to the Northern Ireland policy context but is located within and contributes to international, theoretical, empirical and methodological debates. The Institute web site can be viewed at http://www.socsci.ulster.ac.uk/irss/ where Institute members and their publications are listed together with seminars planned and lectures.
Dr Alan McCully co-ordinates Education Research Group
The School of Education at the University of Ulster has an established tradition of innovative development and research work which has informed not only its own teacher education programmes but educational policy and practice generally in Northern Ireland and internationally.
Much of this research has been grounded in a strong commitment to the contribution education should make to a fairer and more inclusive society. In earlier years, from the 1970s onwards, the School pioneered a series of educational interventions designed to address Northern Ireland’s communal conflict, including the Schools’ Cultural Studies Project, the Religion in Ireland project, Speak Your Piece and the Social, Civic and Political Education.
Latterly, researchers in the School have expanded the geographical scope of this work to study other regions of the world which have experienced conflict. In addition, the School’s research focus has been broadened to investigate the concepts of inclusion and diversity in the context of a changing society in pursuit of greater social equity and cohesion.
The School also has a long commitment to researching the use of Information and Communication Technology in teaching and learning. Through earlier initiatives, and currently the Dissolving Boundaries project, this work, too, has contributed to greater understanding on the island of Ireland and beyond by investigating the role that virtual environments can play in inter-cultural learning.
The research of the School is focused around three clusters connected through their application to practice:
Teacher Education and Classroom Practice
Research work concentrates particularly on learning and teaching issues related to the subject specialisms represented in the School’s teacher education programmes; Geography, History, English and Drama, Media Studies, Home Economics, Physical Education, Music, Technology and Design, and Local and Global Citizenship. Research is also generated from the School’s engagement with Teaching English as a Second Language. The evaluation of ICT applications to learning and teaching is strongly featured, including a focus on the creation of learning communities linked through technology, on-line learning and the creation of e-portfolios to enhance teacher creativity and reflection.
Children, Young People and Inclusion
Inclusive educational practice has been a research focus in the School over an extended period of time with an emphasis on Special Educational Needs and social marginalisation. Currently, this work is being advanced by participation in three major initiatives.
First, the Department of Education has funded work (jointly with Queens University, Belfast) to better prepare teachers to provide effective SEN provision.
Second, the UNESCO Centre, located within the School of Education (in partnership with NUI Galway) has initiated a large scale inter-disciplinary study funded by Atlantic Philanthropies involving a research team monitoring the Welfare of Children and Young People across the island of Ireland.
Third, the School has committed itself to the exploration of the concept of restorative practices in fostering greater inclusion within schools in Northern Ireland.
Education and Conflict
This longstanding research theme within the School is led by the UNESCO Chair though his involvement with a number of international organisations, including UNESCO, the World Bank and DFID. Learning from the Northern Ireland experience has subsequently informed research, policy and practice in a range of conflicted situations in Europe, Asia and Africa.
Research work related to building greater social cohesion through education in the Northern Ireland context continues with researchers working in the fields of history education, the promotion of good relations through informal education and the use of ICT to foster inter-cultural learning. Findings from each of these three areas attract international attention.
If you would like to learn more about how we can help further your studies and career opportunities, please contact us.