Research undertaken by an Education, Peace and Politics researcher has been recognised for its quality by a leading education research body.
The British Educational Leadership, Management and Administration Society (BELMAS) committee commended a conference paper presented by Dr Nidal Al Haj Sleiman, awarding her the Best Conference Paper Award.
The paper, titled: Leading Education for Equity and Social Justice in the Kurdistan Region of Iraq (KRI): An Analysis of Principals’ Perspectives, Practices, and Responses to Policy, was lauded by the committee earlier this year for its quality and vigour. The paper was presented at the annual BELMAS conference, held in Glasgow over the summer.
Nidal’s research addresses a critical knowledge gap in educational leadership and policy research, particularly in conflict-affected regions such as Iraq and the wider Middle East.
The work sheds light on the under-examined context of disadvantaged schools in the Kurdistan Region of Iraq (KRI) and explores how local school leaders navigate the challenges of advancing equity and social justice in the region’s post-conflict context.
The paper features an in-depth analysis of two decades of educational reform in the Kurdistan Region of Iraq (KRI). Through her research, Nidal documents the voices of school leaders, emphasising their ethical stance, agency, and how they respond to local education policies.
Commenting on her work, Nidal said: “It is vital to explore the ideological and theoretical foundations of educational leadership in the current post-conflict context of Iraq”.
“Theorising leadership for social justice should be rooted in the local cultural values, epistemologies, and the historical-social experiences of people, as well as the political and economic questions underpinning their experiences.”
EPP co-founder, Professor Kelsey Shanks was delighted to hear of the award, remarking: “It’s great to see one of our researchers receive the recognition her work undoubtedly deserves”.
“Nidal’s paper is superbly researched and is the result of many months of relentless hard work”.
Professor Shanks added: “I have little doubt that this will not be the last time Nidal’s work is recognised by a prestigious body.”
Click here to learn more about other papers recognised by BELMAS this year.
