BERA Funding Awarded to EQI Researcher Dr Anne Rowan for EAL and SEND Study

We are pleased to note that Dr Anne Rowan, Postdoctoral Researcher at the Centre for Evaluation, Quality and Inspection (EQI) at Dublin City University, has been awarded research funding from the British Educational Research Association (BERA). The award, made in partnership with Dr Nicola Marlow of Ulster University, supports a new study focused on the educational experiences of English as an Additional Language (EAL) pupils with Additional Support Needs (ASN)/Special Educational Needs and Disabilities (SEND) in primary schools across the island of Ireland.

This research builds on prior work by the same team examining EAL/SEND provision in post-primary settings. By extending the focus to primary schools, the study aims to develop a more comprehensive understanding of the challenges this student cohort faces at earlier stages in their educational journey. The project will explore existing support structures, identify gaps in provision, and consider the kinds of guidance teachers need to effectively support these learners in inclusive classroom environments.

The study is particularly timely in the context of increasing linguistic and cultural diversity in Irish and Northern Irish schools. It also aligns with EQI’s broader focus on inclusive education and the evaluation of support systems for vulnerable and marginalised learners. Findings from the research will inform policy and practice across both jurisdictions and contribute to the evidence base on EAL and SEND provision in primary education.

More information can be found here BERA Announcement