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Special Interest Group

Comparative and International Education

Exploring and promoting an international and comparative approach to education

Comparative and International Education is a vast, rich, diverse and growing field of inquiry that is concerned with the academic study of a wide range of key educational issues and themes across cultures, countries and regions. There has been much debate over the theoretical, epistemological and methodological frameworks and tools that should be used when carrying out research in comparative and international education as well as discussions over the future directions of the field. The SIG welcomes interest and contributions on these important debates.

Research interests

Almost any research interest can be viewed through an international and/or comparative lens. Here are a few examples of work our members have been involved in:

  • global education policy;
  • using ‘big data’ in education;
  • EU education policy;
  • citizenship and human rights education;
  • students’ and teachers’ identities;
  • learning and teaching;
  • international policy transfer and borrowing;
  • international large-scale assessments;
  • effects of gender, race and social class on learning and achievement;
  • migration and education;
  • textbook research;
  • parental choice;
  • international schools and intercultural education;
  • education in the Global South;
  • research methods in international and comparative education.

SIG aims

  • to provide a forum within BERA for academics, practitioners and students from a range of disciplines who are involved in research in comparative and international education to engage in dialogue and debate, share theoretical and empirical research, and exchange knowledge and ideas
  • to raise the profile of comparative and international education through the annual conference and by hosting seminars and online meet-ups
  • to encourage the publication of high quality research papers within Research Intelligence, the BERA Blog, British Education Research Journal, edited collections and other outlets
  • to share other opportunities available for collaboration, seminars, research, funding and sharing through regular newsletters

Twitter page: @BERA_ComEduSIG

SIG Convenors

Profile picture of Melissa Jogie
Melissa Jogie, Dr

Senior Lecturer in Education Practice at University of Roehampton

Melissa is an Early Career Researcher in Education at the University of Roehampton, leading on an institution-wide initiative to develop a research and knowledge exchange culture and citizenship across staff and postgraduate students. In 2021 she...

Profile picture of Helen Hanna
Helen Hanna, Dr

Lecturer at University of Manchester

Dr Helen Hanna is a Lecturer in International Education at the University of Manchester. She is passionate about citizenship education, education rights, and educational inclusion, particularly of migrant learners and those from racial, ethnic...

Content associated with this SIG