The Network for Social and Educational Equity at the University of Glasgow’s School of Education welcomed a 19-strong delegation from Singapore to the Advanced Research Centre (ARC) last week. The delegation was visiting Scotland on a study visit to find out more about Scotland’s Community Empowerment Act 2015, place-based approaches and introducing more rights for community bodies. 

The group included individuals from the Institute of Policy Studies, an independent think tank at the National University of Singapore, Nanyang Technological University and charities such as the Singapore Children’s Society. The purpose of the visit to the University of Glasgow was to strengthen links with the Robert Owen Centre, the Network for Social and Educational Equity, and draw out the lessons from Children’s Neighbourhood Scotland.

Participants wanted to understand more about the features and significance of a place-based approach to supporting children or local communities, and how local area coordination or place-based approaches could work in Singapore. Colleagues in Singapore are interested in forming a network similar to the Network for Social and Educational Equity (NSEE) which develops research-practice partnerships with key stakeholders to support the development of more equitable and inclusive education systems.

Bob Davis, the current Director of the Robert Owen Centre gave an overview of the history and traditions of Scottish education, while Magriet Cruywagen, a PhD researcher and research associate of NSEE spoke about her work with Glasgow City Council on the Child Poverty Pathfinder initiative. Chris Chapman outlined the benefits and challenges of developing place-based approaches and the power of promoting agency and voice children’s voices through the Children’s Neighbourhood Scotland.

Chris Chapman said: “We are delighted to have a long-standing partnership with colleagues in Singapore that share our values and commitment to developing research-led approaches to support educational change so all can achieve their full potential irrespective of whom they are or where they come from”. Looking to the future the team will work with colleagues in Singapore to develop their research and development strategy to support place-based approaches to enhance equity and inclusion.”

First published: 4 August 2023

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