Projects

Managed by the Education Authority and Léargas as part of the Peace IV initiative, this programme supports new school collaborations in Northern Ireland and the border counties in the Republic of Ireland. To evaluate the implementation and impact of CASE, the team will conduct a large-scale survey with pupils and a series of case studies with staff and other stakeholders in participating schools. (Funded by the Education Authority.)

This project brings together academics, practitioners, NGOs and policymakers from these countries, and Northern Ireland, to develop contextually-appropriate models of shared education. The project also aims to increase capacity within each jurisdiction to implement and evaluate shared education initiatives. It builds on previous work by Professor Joanne Hughes and colleagues, in collaboration with local NGOs, to develop shared education initiatives in Macedonia. (Funded by the Economic and Social Research Council.)

The first phase of this study comprises survey research with pupils to assess the effects of shared education on reconciliation and (soft) educational outcomes. The second phase complements this with in-depth case studies of practice in six school partnerships, exploring how collaboration can generate educational and social improvement.  (Funded by Atlantic Philanthropies.)

The first of these is led by Professor Tony Gallagher, in collaboration with the Centre for Educational Technology in Tel Aviv, and supports partnerships of Jewish, Arab and Bedouin schools in Ramle and the Negev. These partnerships focus on the joint teaching of English, citizenship, and maths and science, and build capacity among teachers to deliver shared education. Professor Gallagher also contributes to a project that brings together school principals from Jerusalem to share learning and experience.

The third initiative involves collaboration between Centre colleagues, led by Professor Joanne Hughes, and the Abraham Fund, an Israeli NGO which has developed a shared education initiative. This pairs an Arab and a Jewish school to deliver a series of 8-10 shared classes on a curriculum topic identified by both schools. All classes are taught by both Arab and Jewish teachers. In 2018-19, 15 pairs of schools are participating in the project.

In the USA, Professor Tony Gallagher is leading work with Loyola Marymount University and The Education Success Project (TESP) to promote collaboration in the Los Angeles Unified School District. This programme seeks to develop networks of charter schools, public schools and private Catholic schools to promote collaboration, school improvement and enhanced achievement among pupils.

First, it explores the potential enablers and barriers to implementing shared education within new national settings, focusing particularly on the social and political context. Second, it analyses the implementation and impact of shared education in countries where programmes have been introduced. (Funded by Atlantic Philanthropies.)

As one of the few longitudinal studies of intergroup contact in the UK, this research will shed new light on intergroup relationships in divided societies. (Funded by Atlantic Philanthropies.)

As the first systematic review on this topic, this study will provide the authoritative source of evidence. (Funded by Atlantic Philanthropies.)

In June and July 2018, researchers from the Centre also led sessions as part of the Education for Transformation International Summer School at Queen’s University Belfast.