Highlights from the first half of 2021
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RESEARCH NEWS
AUTUMN 2021
A word from Professor Lynn Ang
IOE Pro-Director and Vice-Dean (Research and Development)
Welcome to a new academic year and the latest edition of IOE Research News. I am delighted to say that UCL Institute of Education (IOE)’s pursuit of positive change in education and society has been unwavering, despite the complex challenges of the last year. I am excited by the numerous new and innovative research awards led by IOE colleagues and collaborators, and I look forward to sharing news of these projects as they come to fruition. In the meantime, I hope you enjoy reading these updates. All my good wishes for a productive autumn season.
TOP STORY
The key word is ‘disruption’, not ‘loss’
Teachers and policymakers hoping to help children catch up on learning should draw from recent research on learning disruption (from unplanned events such as pandemics and natural disasters), rather than learning loss (planned closures due to school holidays).
Short read:
Read the three key recommendations highlighted by Dr Sinead Harmey and Professor Gemma Moss, who has recently begun an important new role guiding and informing substantial new investment in education research as the ESRC’s Education Research Director.
Deep dive:
The Learning through Disruption project has investigated how primary schools and their communities have dealt with prolonged disruption and delivers four policy briefings to advise government on ways to best meet local needs.
Further recommendations which focus on autistic young people in mainstream schools identify more room for improvement as schools move forward.
IOE RESEARCH HIGHLIGHTS
‘Avalanche’ of Government’s early COVID-19 guidance severely impeded schools
Headteachers described how overwhelming volumes of policy updates issued by the Department for Education severely impeded school’s ability to navigate the first months of the coronavirus pandemic. Lack of notice before public announcements was also cited as a major challenge.
The impact of education disruptions
UCL Institute of Education (IOE) academics have compiled rapid evidence reviews on the impact of closures and disruptions to schools, colleges and universities during the COVID-19 pandemic. The work was managed by the Evidence for Policy and Practice Information and Co-ordinating Centre (EPPI-Centre) and undertaken under the umbrella of the ESRC-funded International Public Policy Observatory (IPPO).
Children’s views in research
Methodological decisions made by researchers can impact how they engage with children’s voice and perspectives. Dr Seray Ibrahim’s research proposes four considerations for researchers working with children with disabilities. Children’s voice is especially pertinent right now, given that 12- to 15-year-olds are currently being offered the Covid vaccine through their school, with some calling for children to be given more say in the rollout.
IOE NEWS
Children of the 2020’s study team receives a royal visit
The Duchess of Cambridge visited the IOE to meet researchers leading a new landmark birth cohort study, and viewed archive material of historic early childhood research dating back to the 1940s. The study will provide insights into the most critical aspects of early childhood and ultimately improve lifelong outcomes.
Improving health and social care for the most vulnerable
A major new study, led by Professor Carol Rivas and funded by NIHR, is exploring the pandemic experiences of people with chronic conditions (including long Covid) or disabilities from minoritised ethnic groups, including refugees, asylum seekers and the undocumented.
The Coronavirus Intersectionalities: Chronic Conditions and Disabilities and Migrants / Ethnic minoritisation Awareness study (CICADA-ME): find out more and respond to the survey.
Addressing vaccine hesitancy
The IOE has joined a collaborative effort to address vaccine hesitancy in ethnic minority groups by identifying reasons why uptake of the Covid-19 vaccine varies across communities. The work is part of UK Research and Innovation’s rapid response to Covid-19.
Recognising researcher excellence
The Association for Child and Adolescent Mental Health (ACAMH) has announced no less than three IOE researchers in their list of nominees for their 2021 awards: Dr Bonamy Oliver, Dr Praveetha Patalay and Dr Georgia Pavlopoulou. We look forward to the presentation of the awards tomorrow, 22 October.
EVENTS
Soon
IOE joins Bloomsbury Festival with Flow Unlocked
The Flow Unlocked collective has been reflecting on personal and sensory relationships that have sustained them during the pandemic, as well as those they have missed. These reflections will be revealed through poetry, photography, drawing and film. Dr Georgia Pavlopoulou’s work on autistic people’s mental health and relationships is at the root of Flow Unlocked.
Social Research Institute research showcase
This webinar presents two studies examining COVID impacts through a quantitative social science lens, and will be particularly useful for those interested in youth wellbeing and mental health, and labour market gender inequality.
On catch-up
Beyond ‘fun’ primary science: building science engagement for social justice
As part of World Education Week, IOE researchers showcased the Primary Science Capital Teaching Approach, designed to support children’s engagement and identification with science.
The economic and social value of health from childhood to later life
Watch this recent event exploring some of the finding of our Centre for Longitudinal Studies’ new research into the relationship between health and social outcomes.
OPINION
Ensuring the quality of subject-specific teacher education
Fresh from a successful presentation in the 2021 BERA Conference, Dr Mark Hardman considers what it means to teach a subject, the point of which the Market Review of Initial Teacher Training seems to be missing.
Education in Afghanistan was a battlefield long before the Taliban returned
The Afghan education system – and girls and women’s places in it - were already in a precarious position prior to the return of Taliban rule, writes Dr Tejendra Pherali.
Proud to be: Black women
The IOE library‘s guest author Dr Elizabeth Williams reflects on the representation and experiences of Black women in the higher education sector in 2021.
LASTLY...
Research for the Real World
Watch out for new podcast episodes launching next week! This season, we are focusing on what contributions IOE researchers are making to tackle the global challenge of climate change.
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