New research hub will study education
Research network to shine a light on challenges facing Iraqi education
An innovative new research project studying education in Iraq has officially begun work.
The Education, Peace and Politics (EPP) project has been created by a team of experts in the field of education in Iraq and conflict affected areas in the Middle East.
The project has been initiated by some team members who created The Iraqi School Project.
EPP is a joint venture between Ulster and Koya University, and will also work with Mosul University for comprehensive research on education in a post-ISIS setting.
The overall aim of the project is to comprehensively understand challenges in the Iraqi education system, in an attempt to foster social cohesion.
“This is the first time such a broad range of experts have come together to study schools and learning in Iraq. ”
The project has been funded by the British Academy and will create, and support, a network of researchers to facilitate improvements to the learning experience.
Professor Kelsey Shanks, UNESCO chair and co-lead of the EPP project with Dr Sherko Kirmanj, said: “Education is influenced by a host of socio-political influences. By creating a foundation of academic research, we hope to better understand the relationship between education and peace in Iraq.
“We hope the findings of the project will influence policymakers and will be a valuable insight for other conflict affected countries in the Middle East.”
Professor Shanks added: “The network of researchers that is growing around the project are inspirational and I am excited to work with such an incredible team.”
Bnar Jawdat Ahmed, Director of Pedagogy and the Academic Development Centre at Koya University, said: “We’re so excited to start work on this incredible project.
“This is the first time such a broad range of experts have come together to study schools and learning in Iraq.
“EPP will allow us to better understand education in conflict affected areas.”