Abstract

The SunRAE project is an internationally-focused student research podcast, e-conference and e-journal community of practice integrated into the International Postgraduate Certificate in Education suite of initial teacher training courses offered via distance learning at the University of Sunderland. The aim is to promote and extend the culture of research-in-practice that trainee teachers have encountered in their MA-level initial teacher education research modules so that they are fully equipped to go out into schools ready to embrace careers as research-informed practitioners. The project won a Vice-Chancellor’s Teaching Award 2021/22 and funding has been used to set up an open-access journal platform, university-hosted WordPress website and develop a podcast series. Inter-faculty collaboration meant that students from the MA in Radio, Participation and Podcasting have used the podcast element as a project for their own studies and continue to work on it through the Sunderland Creatives agency. This session will share the project and show how it is being sustainably integrated within the suite International Initial Teacher Training programmes. We will also highlight the opportunities for alumni, staff development and inter-faculty collaboration that have resulted.