BERA is committed to advancing inclusive education by supporting high-quality research that improves understanding, practice, and policy for neurodivergent learners and those with Additional Support Needs (ASN) and Special Educational Needs and Disabilities (SEND). 

Through our research partnerships and funding streams, BERA is:

• Enabling rigorous, applied research to test new approaches within schools, colleges, and other educational settings.
• Promoting inclusive teaching practices that better support neurodivergent learners and those with ASN/SEND.
• Building research capacity by involving early career researchers, practitioners, and policymakers.
• Generating findings that inform national debates and improve outcomes for learners across the UK.

Current Projects

Neurodiversity in Mainstream Schools – In partnership with The Kusuma Trust
BERA is working with The Kusuma Trust to fund four significant research projects focused on improving the educational experience and attainment of neurodivergent young people in mainstream settings. The projects explore:

• Improvement of life skills for ages 2–18
• Pathways to employment and employability skills for ages 12–18
• Inclusive classroom practice for ages 4–18

Find out more about the BERA and Kusuma Trust: Neurodiversity in Mainstream Schools programme below

2025/2026 BERA Small Grants Fund: Researching ASN/SEND

Our annual Small Grants Fund focuses on a different priority area each year. For 2025/2026, the theme is Additional Support Needs (ASN) and Special Educational Needs and Disabilities (SEND). BERA is supporting small-scale research that will:

• Explore strategies to balance inclusion with individual needs
• Strengthen collaboration with parents and carers
• Investigate the role of assistive technology
• Examine links between ASN/SEND and mental health