Social Theory in the Field of ELMA

Who We Are and What We Do

Social Theory in the Field of ELMA focuses on how researchers use social theory to engage critically with the field.  As a RIG community we think with, employ, and  mobilise social theory to illuminate and question assumptions, as we seek to address the deeply rooted causes of inequality and construct new possibilities for socially just educational systems.

We think with theorists and social theoretical frameworks from across global and historical contexts to understand how each can help us analyse and understand how social, cultural, economic and political phenomena influence and construct educational leadership.

Together the RIG’s community connects social and sociological ideas and distinct onto-epistemological paradigms with the study of educational leadership, aiming to unpack issues of inequality, social injustice, polarisation and marginalisation through the employment of the work of our chosen theorists.

Background and Themes

Theory can be employed in any area of research but we are particularly interested in which theorists are being employed by researchers and how researchers employ their theory and frameworks to:

• frame, analyse, interpret and represent research currently in the field
• question assumptions in approaches to educational governance and leadership globally
• establish critical approaches to connecting research, policy and practice to advocate for social impact and policy change.

As a RIG we:

• share current intellectual work employing social theory
• invite RIG members to share their use of social theory in their research and intellectual endeavours through our webinars
• provide the opportunity to write a blog using social theory as frame for our Blog series
• Join our reading group

Benefits from Participation

Participation from a diverse and dynamic network that is focused on engaging with social theory to illuminate inequalities and promote socially just approaches to the governance and leadership of education as public good and concern.

• Access to up-to-date intellectual work employing social theory in the field of ELMA
• Contribute to a community of researchers thinking with global theorists in the field of ELMA
• Development of methodological approaches to engaging with theorists in the field

Co-Convenors

Nidal Al Haj Sleiman

LSE, Middel East Centre

Email: N.al-haj-sleiman@lse.ac.uk

Claire Goodley

Manchester Metropolitan University

Email: c.goodley@mmu.ac.uk

Karen Healey

University of Manchester, Manchester Institute of Education

Email: Karen.healey@manchester.ac.uk  

Janet Hetherington

University of Derby

Email: j.hetherington@derby.ac.uk

Join Us

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