Collaborative Research Networks
Four collaborative networks that provide a forum for the development of educational research practice across all the Higher Education Institutions in Wales.
The Collaborative Research Networks (CRNs) are forums for the development of educational research practice across all Higher Education Institutions (HEIs) in Wales. CRNs bring together researchers from different disciplinary backgrounds, alongside practitioners and other stakeholders, and allow them to share ideas and research interests. The work of the CRNs focusses on developing and increasing the capacity of the educational research sector in Wales, taking concrete action to engage Early Career Researchers (ECRs) and doctoral students (across all pathways, including Professional Doctorates) in their activities. Each CRN comprises representatives from all HEIs, including the Open University (Wales). The four networks reflect the priorities of Welsh Government, namely: Curriculum and Pedagogy; Equity and Inclusion; Welsh Language and Bilingualism; and Leadership and Professional Learning. It should be noted, however, that there is considerable synergy between the networks, and they do not work in isolation, either in theory or practice.
Collaborative Research Network for equity and inclusion
The Equity and Inclusion Collaborative Research Network (CRN) is one of four collaborative research networks currently being funded by Welsh Government as part of the National Strategy for Education Research and Evidence (NSERE).
Activity of the network is focused on sharing ideas and developing research practices to improve educational outcomes for children and young people in Wales. We present talks and seminars and support research that is focused on our key areas of interest, which are education and learning, race and identity, and health and well-being. The network is organised through regular meetings of the steering group which has representation from all Welsh HEIs.
We welcome researchers, particularly early career researchers, and colleagues in schools and colleges to all network events. If you would like to be notified of future events, then please contact robyn.mcqueen@southwales.ac.uk to be added to our mailing list.
Collaborative Research Network for leadership and professional learning
Our network is a partnership between all Welsh Higher Education Institutions, Welsh Government, other middle-tier organisations and schools. Our focus is communicating and generating new knowledge and challenging thinking around educational leadership and staff professional learning. The network also aims to support the development of its members as researchers, thus increasing research capacity across Wales. We aim to contribute to practice and policy across the system. It is an open network, and all interested parties are welcome to attend our meetings and seminars, which are held every month. Please use this site to view resources and our timetable for future meetings.
The following short film gives more information on the activities of the network.
Collaborative Research Network: leadership and professional learning
Collaborative Research Network for curriculum and pedagogy
The Curriculum and Pedagogy Collaborative Research Network (CRN) is built on a foundation of respect and understanding for diversity, inclusion, and the value of learning from one another. We have a group of core representatives (at least two from each of the HEIs in Wales), including colleagues with a wide range of experience from early career researchers (ECRs) through to established Professors, who meet every two weeks to plan our activities. However, the network is open to all, and anyone interested in attending is welcome.
This mutually supportive environment is essential to our work in building research capacity across Wales, including through research projects and publications. As Wales moves into an exciting, and possibly challenging, new era of curriculum development, we recognise the importance of international perspectives and we have developed links with academics in countries, such as New Zealand and America, who have presented at our seminars. These online seminars are central to our remit to support colleagues in schools but are also relevant in Initial teaching Education (ITE) and higher education. We also work closely with Consortia and middle tier organisations.
We warmly welcome you to join our network and to attend seminars or join our research projects. If you would like to hear more about the ‘CRN: Curriculum and Pedagogy’, please email rellis@cardiffmet.ac.uk
Collaborative Research Network for bilingual education and Welsh language
The Bilingual Education and Welsh Language Collaborative Research Network (CRN) is one of four collaborative research networks currently being funded by Welsh Government as part of the National Strategy for Education Research and Evidence (NSERE).
The network is organised through regular meetings of the steering group which has representation from all Welsh HEIs. Activity of the network is focused on sharing ideas and developing research practices to improve bilingual education and the use of the Welsh language in Education in Wales. We build links with other countries where minority languages exist, hold seminars and produce collaborative academic research proposals and publications on bilingual education and the Welsh language. The network also played a role in the International Conference on Minority Languages which was held in Wales in June 2023.
We welcome researchers, particularly early career researchers, and colleagues in schools and colleges to all network events. If you would like to be notified of future events, then please contact elin.jones@uwtsd.ac.uk to be added to our mailing list.