Abstract

In seeking to attract recognition of initiatives that contribute to developing a more inclusive practitioner research culture, this presentation reports on the SunRAE project: 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 initially won a Vice-Chancellor’s Teaching Award 2021/22 and the funding was used to set up an open-access journal platform, university-hosted WordPress website, and develop a podcast series.
This presentation looks at the case of trainees who undertake their PGCE programme internationally i.e. they remain based in their international schools for the practical elements but engage in the wider programme via distance learning. One of the greatest regrets of university staff working with these trainees was that the research knowledge gained was contained only within the assessment system and that the trainees would leave, taking this wealth of knowledge with them. The fear was that these emerging practitioner researchers would see their research work as being completed solely for the purpose of certification, without recognising themselves as beginning a career-long process of reflective research generation in their schools. It also meant that new cohorts started fresh each year, without realising what a wealth of knowledge and experience could be built up over the course.
From this, the Sunderland Reflective Action in Education project (SunRAE) was developed in response to the challenge of building a community of research-informed practice when working remotely and a/synchronously with PGCE trainees across different international time zones. It can best be described as a student research conference, journal and podcast initiative integrated into the PGCE (Distance Learning) programmes at the University of Sunderland.
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.
Further information
https://wp.sunderland.ac.uk/sunrae/