CRRE Research and Consultancy
The Centre for Research in Race and Education
CRRE members are involved in a variety of research projects that explore the nature of race inequality in education. Our research covers a wide range of topics and approaches, from interview-based studies to statistical analyses of the impact of national changes in assessment and performance measurement.
Examples of recent research
The impact of COVID-19 on predicted grades for 'A' level students
This project which ran from 2020 to 2021, explored the impact of such measure on ‘A’ level students.
Transitions from Higher Education
This project in 2017 investigated young people's transitions from higher education in a range of universities with students from different backgrounds.
Advancing equality in Higher Education: an exploratory study of Athena SWAN and Race Equality Charters
- This one year project examined aspects of good practice in institutions that have succeeded in securing accreditation at the first level (Bronze)
Previous research
Race, Racism and Education: inequality, resilience and reform in policy and practice.
This 2 year project, funded by the Society for Educational Studies started in July 2013. The project combined two key elements; first, a quantitative analysis of statistical data to provide the first-ever authoritative picture of the changing landscape of educational achievement and experience in relation to ethnic diversity over the 20 year span since the murder of Stephen Lawrence. Second, drawing on CRRE's links with policy-makers, advisors and race equality advocacy groups, we used ethnographic interviews to explore the processes by which policy was formed, contested, and remodelled during this unique period.
Black British Intellectuals
A landmark study of the diverse currents and shifts in Black British intellectual production, focusing on the sometimes hidden impacts of Black thinkers on educational theories and practices.
Black Parents’ Strategies in Education & Employment (SEE)
This two year project research was funded by the John Lyon’s Charity and the British and Foreign Schools’ Society, and carried out in partnership with the Runnymede Trust.
This project was developed as a direct result of the Black middle classes project (see below) which found that Black parents were working in relative isolation as they sought to get their children through school. Designed as action research, the SEE project works with Black parents (from all social backgrounds) through a series of informal ‘Conversation Groups’ to capture their challenges and successes in engaging with the education system and to share tips on transitioning their children into further education, higher education and work. The aim is to develop networks of support to which Black parents can turn for advice on a range of issues including racism, low teacher expectations, assessment and work experience opportunities.
The Educational Strategies of the Black Middle Class
This research, in partnership with colleagues at the London Institute of Education and funded by the Economic and Social Research Council, was the largest study to date of the educational experiences, aspirations and strategies of the Black middle class.