The rights of the child: rights-focused educational research

Research from the University of Brighton's department of education is applied to support the quality of learners’ experiences, the professional development of educators throughout their careers, and decisions about education policy - locally, nationally and internationally.

Our examples of impact outlined below show how research is shared by being actively involved in partnerships that include school, FE and HE sectors, advocacy and policy networks, professional communities and networks, and local community organisations, building bridges between research and teaching. 

Improving learning in 300 schools in Africa

Researchers led by Professor David Stephens collaborated with governments and schools in Africa to develop culturally sensitive participatory action research to evaluate education strategies. Findings led to the implementation of new policies to improve the quality of teaching and learning, and evidence revealed a boost to educational performance.

This research formed the basis of an international conference by Save the Children in Cambodia in 2009 and also impacted Save the Children's international policy development. Professor Stephens is following up this research in Bangladesh where he is collaborating with European Union-supported non-governmental organisations to deliver more effective teaching and learning to children of the Dhaka slums and Sylhet tea estates.

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Promoting children's sexual and reproductive rights

With funding from the Danish Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the International Planned Parenthood Federation (IPPF) commissioned Panos, a leading institute concerned with global development issues, to assess the impact of the IPPF’s A+ programme in promoting adolescent sexual and reproductive health and rights. Dr Vicky Johnson from the University of Brighton was chosen to lead the research.

Research involved working with young people in the field, producing case studies giving insight into cultural and political contexts in Benin, Kenya, Nepal and Nicaragua, and exploring ways to overcome deep-rooted attitudes and beliefs.

The participatory design of this wide-reaching assessment produced a rich analysis of what worked and what did not, along with innovative examples of youth-led and youth-centred initiatives around the world that can be shared with others. It also gave clear evidence of how putting young people firmly at the centre of youth programmes can improve communication, participation, empowerment, rights, health and education.

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Teaching children about their rights

UNICEF UK funded an evaluation of the impact of its Rights Respecting Schools Award (RRSA) on the wellbeing and achievement of children and young people in participating schools. Dr Carol Robinson of the University of Brighton collaborated with Professor Judy Sebba of the University of Sussex and concluded that the RRSA has had a profound positive effect on the majority of schools involved.

Research showed that teaching children about their rights can improve behaviour, teacher-pupil relationships, and inclusivity. In addition, it can raise attainment and make for more mature, responsible students with a greater understanding of the wider world.

UNICEF UK has acted on many of the recommendations of the evaluation, including: clarifying expectations in terms of learning about rights; further development of the RRSA Virtual Learning Environment, and providing examples of assessment criteria and self-evaluation forms to help schools understand the expectations of RRSA.


Rights, respect and responsibility are the 3 Rs of learning to be a good citizen.

Sir John Dunford, independent review of the Office of the Children's Commissioner

Challenging understandings of teacher knowledge

Our research to better understand the complexities around teacher knowledge has stimulated both debate and development among educators and policymakers. We believe this is important so that every teacher has the depth of professional knowledge to give students the best possible learning experience, and so that educators and policymakers understand how to support teachers’ learning in the wider context of education in our times.

Some of our partners in this research have included the UK Learning and Skills Research Network (LSRN) and the Association of Information Technology in Teacher Education (ITTE); in Australia the Vocational Education and Training Research Association (AVETRA) and the National Council for Vocational Education Research (NCVER); and the Cyprus Educational Research Association (CERA).

Our research has challenged practices and beliefs about professional development and pedagogy from early years settings to doctoral supervision in higher education. It has stimulated debates about alternative understandings of teacher knowledge and creativity with digital tools.

The body of research has informed discourse both nationally and internationally in professional communities, which seek to inform policy and practice and to develop educators’ professional knowledge.