The core team behind the EPP initiative convened in Devon, England, last week for its official end-of-project meeting.
The event marked the culmination of a multi-year effort to strengthen education research – and with it – social cohesion in countries impacted by conflict.
The meeting offered a valuable opportunity to serve as a writing retreat for attendees who were given time to collaborate on the writing of future research grant proposals, building on the work undertaken as part of the EPP project.
In addition, Dr Neelam Raina, Professor of Design and Development at Middlesex University delivered a highly commended career workshop for the EPP ECRs, focusing on the importance of balancing research and teaching in modern academia. Dr Raina’s workshop looked at career trajectories and embodying vision and strategy into research.
Dr Raina said: “One must make strategic choices and plan career trajectories through academia. Research-led and research-informed teaching allows us to build a critical mass of scholars and practitioners that are required for transforming our world in the future.
The event was followed by two spin-off activities. The first bringing together the EPP network members, and some new faces, who work on Syria, to plan the expansion of the network in the country. The group planned to utilise the EPP multilingual research training resources to deliver monthly online research skills workshops for researchers in Syria with an interest in education, peace and politics. The second event brought together network members from the teachers’ working group, led by Professor Eleanore Hargreaves, to co-write their paper on Teachers in Crisis, drawing on collaborative EPP research in Iraq, KRI, Egypt and Nigeria.
“It’s been a real success, and that’s entirely down to the energy, ideas, and commitment of the core team and the wider network.”
Project Co-founder Professor Kelsey Shanks said the event offered the perfect opportunity to consider the impact of the project and look to future collaboration among researchers.
Professor Shanks said: “It’s been such a privilege getting to know the talented researchers in the EPP network and working alongside them over the course of this project. I’ve learned so much from each of them.
“This project set out to promote critical academic engagement with the topic of education in a context where it is too often approached purely as a technical pursuit. We aimed to open space for deeper reflection, dialogue, and alternative perspectives on what education is – and what it can be.
“It’s been a real success, and that’s entirely down to the energy, ideas, and commitment of the core team and the wider network.”
Dr Sherko Kirmanj said: “As we reach the end of this beautiful journey my heart is filled with mixed emotions. On one hand, I feel incredibly proud of everything we have accomplished together, our shared efforts, our dedication, and the growth we’ve witnessed in ourselves and each other. On the other hand, it saddens me deeply to see this chapter closing and everyone heading home.
“I know each and every one of you gave your best. I truly believe that without Professor Shank’s guidance, energy, and heart, none of this would have been possible and I have little doubt that our project has had a positive impact at the most urgent of times.”
While the in-person events have come to an end, there’s more exciting EPP content being published over the coming months, including a new podcast series hosted by Sophie Brown and an explainer series of YouTube videos delving into key concepts in education research.
Check the EPP website and social media channels for updates.
