Institute of Education (IoE)
The Institute of Education (IoE) is the only college of the University of London dedicated entirely to education and related areas of social science. It is seen by many to be the UK’s leading centre for studies in education and related disciplines.
Their research aims to address fundamental issues that have a direct bearing on all members of society, and raise the standard of educational research. Their research is funded by a variety of national and international organisations from UK research councils and government departments to international charities. The Institute actively promotes research collaboration not only across the Institute but also with a wide range of external partners. They place a strong emphasis on collaborative activities with local, national, and international partners. The dedication of their approach to research is confirmed by the detail of their policies for their own research procedure.
The issues they have in mind include the use of international, comparative and global perspectives in education for advancing the values of equality as well as social justice and human rights in education. Other issues encompass defending and promoting the foundations of education and the contribution of the education disciplines as well as recognising the specialist status of their own Institution in these areas. Their research looks to establish understanding the links between theory and practice in education, and also building clear and explicit connections between education and other social domains such as the family, health and welfare.
They see raising the standard of educational research as being achieved in a number of ways; for instance, by seeking to promote the highest standards of quality in research in education and promoting the highest standards of ethical integrity in their own research. They promote the value in aspiring to maintain and build on the tradition of research in education as well as seeking to lead the field of educational research at IoE.
They are aiming to enhance the public debate about education through their independent research-based publications, and they are pursuing partnerships with local, national and international agencies in order to promote the public good in education. They believe that cultivating links and critical engagement with other social sciences and humanities enhances theoretical, methodological and evidence-based understandings of education in its broader relationships with society.
Over the last 10 years, the Institute has collaborated with half of all UK universities on funded research projects related to education, and with universities in 22 of the 26 EU member states. The Institute is also forging strategic partnerships with major educational research institutions worldwide, with current projects involving partners in Europe, North and South America, Africa and Asia.
