Recognising outstanding contribution to teaching practice

Students enrolled on the Masters in Educational Practice (MEP) in the School of Social Sciences will now have the opportunity to win a new award for the outstanding teacher inquiry report submitted as part of their final research projects.

The ‘Outstanding Teacher Inquiry Award’ will be awarded to the student whose report offers an outstanding contribution to the development of teachers’ practice. It is jointly awarded by the British Education Research Association (BERA) and WISERD Education (part of the Wales Institute of Social & Economic Research, Data & Methods) in association with the MEP.

The judging panel will include members of the MEP academic team, Dr Ruth Boyask of the University of Plymouth (representing BERA), and Professor Sally Power (representing WISERD Education). 

Dr Caroline Daly, MEP co-director and Reader in Education at UCL’s Institute of Education, said: “The award is a great acknowledgement of the contribution made by early career teachers to the quality of teaching in Welsh schools. MEP graduates are at the forefront of research-informed teaching. The award winner will represent the skills and attributes of nearly 200 teacher-researchers this year who are in a position to take forward innovative practice to enhance pupils' learning.”

Professor David James, Chair of BERA’s Membership and Engagement Committee, confirmed that: “BERA is delighted to be supporting this award.  The MEP represents a bold and innovative approach to professional development and it makes a great contribution to the quality of education in Wales, with the use and the generation of educational research at its heart.”

WISERD Education’s Director, Professor Sally Power said: “WISERD Education is delighted to have the opportunity to celebrate outstanding teacher research. In WISERD we believe that high quality research is an essential element in improving the lives and prospects of Wales’ young people. This awards highlights the contribution that teachers can make to that goal.”

The MEP programme, funded by the Welsh Government, focuses on improving newly-qualified teachers’ classroom practice and developing their leadership in schools. It is delivered regionally across Wales by an alliance of Cardiff, Aberystwyth and Bangor universities, and the Institute of Education, University of London.