Consortium co-led by IOE will support education continuity for children in conflict and crisis areas

Academics based at IOE's Centre for Education and International Development (CEID) have joined ERICC, a three-year Education in Emergencies research programme, co-led by the International Rescue Committee (IRC).

The £15.8 million project, funded by the British Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO), aims to identify the most effective approaches for improving access, quality, and continuity of education in seven countries affected by conflict: Bangladesh (Cox’s Bazar), Jordan, Lebanon, Myanmar, Nigeria, South Sudan and Syria.

It represents the most extensive research programme to date on education in conflict and crisis.

The UCL team consists of Professors Tejendra Pherali and Elaine Chase, and Drs Amy North and Simone Datzberger, who joined ERICC in November 2023.

They will be supporting the development of the global research agenda for the field of education in conflict and crisis; collaborating with in-country research teams on various research studies; and leading cross-regional and global studies in the areas of education and peacebuilding, teacher development and wellbeing, and gender-related issues in education in conflict and crisis.

Professor Pherali will serve as ERICC’s Co-Research Director alongside the IRC’s Dr Silvia Diazgranados Ferrans.

Other partners forming the consortium include the Centre for Lebanese Studies, Common Heritage Foundation, Forcier Consulting, ODI, Osman Consulting, Oxford Policy Management and the Queen Rania Foundation.

Professor Pherali says, "Ensuring access to and the continuity of quality education for children living in conflict and crisis settings is a global responsibility. Unfortunately, millions of children living in challenging environments globally are deprived of their right to education due to political instabilities, violent conflicts, and forced displacement of families and communities.

"As a world leading centre for research and teaching in the field of education, conflict and peace, we are pleased to join the ERICC Consortium, dedicated to transforming education policy and practice in contexts that are affected by violent conflict and protracted crisis. Through the ERICC programme, we aspire to foster a robust and cohesive body of high-quality research that drives impactful, cost-effective education policies and programs.

"Our goal is to enhance the learning and wellbeing of children in conflict and crisis settings, contributing to the cultivation of more peaceful, equitable, and socially just societies."

Related links

• More about the ERICC Research Programme Consortium
• Professor Tejendra Pherali’s UCL profile
• Professor Elaine Chase’s UCL profile
• Dr Amy North’s UCL profile
• Dr Simone Datzberger’s UCL profile
• Centre for Education and International Development

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Clockwise from top left: Simone Datzberger, Tejendra Pherali, Elaine Chase, Amy North.