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Special Interest Group

Educational Research and Educational Policy-Making

This SIG is interested in the relationship between research and policy in education

This SIG provides a space for BERA members interested in the relationship between research and policy in education. Rather than critiquing policies, the SIG is particularly interested in the procedures involved in making policies, and the role played by research. The SIG recognises that policies are not only made in government departments, but in schools and a wide range of education institutions.

Research interests 

  • The relationship between research and policy
  • The use of evidence in policy production
  • How policies get produced
  • Policy advice mechanisms
  • What constitutes ‘expertise’
  • The role of all education stakeholders in the policy process

SIG aims

The SIG aims to identify and enhance the various ways in which research can have a stronger influence on education policy. For example, the SIG’s 2024 work commenced with a webinar discussing a potential expert policy advice mechanism. It is intended that 2-3 webinars will be held per annum.

BERA Educational Research and Educational Policy-Making Forum

SIG Convenors

Profile picture of Charlotte Vidal-Hall
Charlotte Vidal-Hall, Dr

Research lead at Ofsted

Charlotte is a research and evaluation lead at Ofsted where she has lead research into supporting struggling readers in secondary schools and AI in schools and further education colleges. She has been an advocate for closer working partnerships...

Becky Taylor, Dr

Principal Research Fellow at University College London

Becky Taylor is Principal Research Fellow in the Centre for Teachers and Teaching Research and Lead for Engagement and Impact for the Department of Curriculum, Pedagogy and Assessment, at IOE, UCL's Faculty of Education and Society. She has a...

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