What are Research Interest Groups?
A BELMAS Research Interest Group (RIG) is a group of BELMAS members engaged in a networking venture to share research, inquiry and knowledge applied to a specific aspect or area of educational leadership, management, administration or policy and is led by a ‘RIG Convenor’.
Benefits from participation include:
- Access to new knowledge, people and potential for developing your own perspectives, critical research and professional activity
- Opportunities to collaborate or correspond with colleagues engaged in similar studies, research or activity
- Opportunities to attend meetings where project ideas and activities can be shared and invited speakers provide new perspectives on the interests of the group
The size of RIGs may vary, but the number of members should be sufficient to enable a viable programme of activities to be developed. RIGs are essentially self-managed groups and will continue only so long as their members consider them worthwhile.
How to access a RIG
In order to have full access to a Research Interest Group, you must be a BELMAS member and JOIN the specific group so that you receive regular updates and emails from the Office. To do this, you will need to log in to the website and head to the ‘Member Area’. Here you can tick which RIGs you’d like to join.
Non-members can attend a BELMAS RIG for a small fee determined by the RIG Convenors for that particular event. Minimum fee is £5.00.
If you are a student or from a developing country and attend RIG events regularly, did you know that you can join BELMAS for just £25.00 for the year. Click here to find out more…
RIG Resources
The resources below are generally used by Convenors to support them in their role. If you have an idea for an event or speaker, please contact the RIG Convenor in the first instance. If you want to set up a new RIG, please email Cynthia Akinsanya, Membership & Events Coordinator.
RIG Convenor Handbook
RIG Event Submission Form
Other Event Submission Form
RIG Website Page Change Submission Form
Our Current RIGs
Social Theory in the Field of ELMASocial 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.AI & Educational LeadershipThis RIG explores how artificial intelligence (AI) reshapes educational leadership theory, policy, and practice. It recognises the growing influence of AI technologies on research, teaching and learning, decision-making, communication, and organisational effectiveness and improvement across educational settings.Leadership for SustainabilityThe Leadership for Sustainability Research Interest Group (LfS RIG) brings together researchers, practitioners, and students to explore the depth and scale of responses required to the challenges we face, and how educational leaders can drive environmental, social, and economic change in society. This includes the use of Systems Thinking and Regenerative methodology.Critical Educational Policy & Leadership StudiesWe would like to welcome all BELMAS members to this RIG as a place where we can study and practice socially just educational leadership. We go to work and undertake research in an unjust world, and so in our professional practice we would want to give recognition to this, expose what this means and work for a different approach to teaching and learning.Governance & GoverningThe Governance and Governing RIG is open to all those who have an interest in governance in its widest sense, including educational leaders, researchers and research students and governors of schools and colleges.Emergent ResearcherThe BELMAS Emergent Researcher RIG is a networking group of Early Career Researchers interested in the study in the area of Educational Policy, Leadership and Management and professional learning and research associated with the 'leadership of learning' in its many aspects.Post 16 Education Leadership & ManagementThe aim of the P16ELM RIG is to build an international network which will facilitate research and knowledge exchange, develop practice and nurture partnerships between individuals with an interest in Post 16 Education Leadership and Management.Gender & Educational LeadershipThe Gender and Leadership RIG is open to all those who have an interest in gender and leadership in its broadest sense, including educational leaders, researchers and research students.Organisational ReformThis RIG will begin to explore issues around the structuring and restructuring of school systems on a cross-national comparative basis.Leadership Preparation
& DevelopmentThis Leadership Preparation and Development Research Interest Group examines all areas of LPD in both national and international contexts - please do take a look at some of our recent presentations and areas of current research on the following page. Race & LeadershipThe Race and Leadership Research Interest Group (RIG) brings together those researching in race and ethnicity, including educational leaders, researchers and research students.Leadership in Early Years EducationThe Leadership in Early Years Education Research Interest Group (RIG) is open to all educational leaders, researchers, practitioners and research students who have an interest in furthering understanding of leadership in the Early Years context and fostering strong links between research and practice. Reflective PracticeThe current educational climate means that sometimes there is not enough time or facilitation for reflective practice in schools and so this RIG aims to provide a place to discuss how this can be made possible and how it can be done effectively. This RIG also helps to bridge the gap between current educational leaders/teachers and the academics who can support them in their practice.Inclusion LeadershipThe Inclusion Leadership Research Interest Group (IL RIG) is open to anyone who is interested in researching fundamentals of inclusion in its broadest sense within a framework of leadership.International & Comparative EducationThis RIG is a place where we can study and practice educational leadership in international and comparative education for a better, and more just world. Whether we work in international schools, transnational educational spaces, or as guests in other nations, we are often exposed to remarkable practices and behaviours that challenge our professionalism.
