BELMAS Research Projects
BELMAS wishes to support research in educational leadership, management and policy which complements research supported from other funding sources and further aims of the Society. Accordingly, it is expected that successful projects will:
- Make a significant and original contribution to the field of educational leadership, management and policy studies.
- Demonstrate the potential to advance the wider aims of the Society.
- Build capacity - by developing networks and collaborations, and using these to maximise impact
- Provide opportunities for those seeking to develop interest and experience in educational research, but for whom opportunities are often limited - for example, those who do not work in HEIs, early career researchers and/or international partners.
- Offer evidenceof a potential to 'grow' the project beyond the funding from the Society, for example, by indicating how the project may attract further funding from other sources in the future.
- Represent sound value for money, based on a clear, realistic research design.
- Disseminate results through appropriate for channels, including the Society's events and publications.
It is expected that most projects will be small in scale, but offer opportunities beyond what a lone researcher might typically engage in. There is no intention to rival other sources such as Research Councils, or bodies seeking to commission specific projects/evaluations.
In 2011, BELMAS awarded funding to 9 approved projects exploring issues arising from the theme: 'Structural Reform, Governance and Leadership: Exploring the local impact of free schools, academies and trusts'.
Details of these projects can be found here.
Small-Scale Research Projects 2012/13
A further 18 awards, have been made for the year 2012/13 under two programme themes: ‘Leadership preparation and development: exploring the local impact of the new independent schools environment in England’ and ‘Structural change, governance and leadership: rationale, models, practice and impact’ (a continuation of the 2011/12 programme).
Details of these awards can be found here.