Centre for Education and Research (CER)
The Centre for Education and Research (CER) develops and promotes social justice, equity and inclusion through a culture of high-quality research that is accessible to all in education and related disciplines.
About Centre for Education and Research (CER)
CER is a focal point for the research, development, consultancy, research degree supervision and teaching in formal, informal, and non-formal Education across diverse social contexts and throughout life. CER engages with and promotes interdisciplinary, multidisciplinary and transdisciplinary research relating to Education and it’s related areas.
CER sits within the Faculty of Health, Education and Society (FHES) at the University of Northampton. The Centre operates in partnership with a wide range of local, national and international stakeholders, including children’s centres, NGOs, governments, further and higher education institutions, charities, nurseries and schools, and many CER members have previously worked on the ground in children’s services. Consequently, educational research at the University of Northampton has a long-standing and successful track record of promoting positive outcomes for children and young people, and adults working in all areas of educational provision.
CER is the base for Special Interest Groups (SIGs) in the field of Education. CER SIGs explore exciting approaches to researching in education, including critical research, participatory research and research with children. Each CER SIG has its own identity and focus:
- Education in Schools
- Early Childhood Education and Care
- Children and Young People
- Families and Communities
- Inclusion, Diversity and Special Education
- Higher and Further Education
CER hosts a rich programme of events concerning research in the field of Education, including research training, workshops and a research seminar programme which attracts many visiting speakers and is open to all.
For more information about CER research, PhD study or SIGs, contact our Centre Leaders Associate Professor Cristina Devecchi and Professor Jane Murray, Professor of Education.
Research, Practice and Policy
At CER, our research is strongly interwoven with policy and practice. We build links with colleagues across multiple sectors within the field of Education and beyond so that research at CER is informed by education practice and policy which are, in turn, informed by CER research findings. Our commitment to impactful research guides our work with the wide range of organisations we work with locally, in the UK and internationally. CER is based in the Faculty of Health, Education and Society where our research informs – and is informed by – learning and teaching in the two Education subject teams at UON:
- Education
- Children, Young People and Families (CYF)
Almost all the research conducted by CER contributes towards the achievement of the United Nations global Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) 4 for Quality Education, and much of our research also makes contributions to other SDGs.
Key Themes
Inclusion and diversity in Education
CER features specialist expertise in inclusion, diversity and special educational needs. CER members conduct and promote research about special educational needs provision, autism, dyslexia, and behaviour.
Early Childhood Education and Care
CER has a strong reputation for research conducted in early childhood education and care. Our work features studies about young children as researchers, children living in poverty, young children’s language development, young children’s literacies and high-quality early years practice.
Education in Schools
Many of the studies that CER members undertake concern aspects of life in schools that affect teachers and students every day. Our research with schools includes focus on pedagogy, out-of-school learning, non-cognitive skills, learning outdoors, and curriculum areas including art, music, digital technologies and science.
Children’s and Young People’s Rights in Education
Much of the work CER does includes focus on children’s and young people’s rights. Examples of our research in this area include support for migrant children in their new countries, early school leaving and attitudes to children with disabilities.
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The Centre for Education and Research (CER) on X @FEHresearchUON