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WEBINAR: Inter-school social capital: lessons for school leaders on how to maximise the benefits of networks and networking

Free Public Webinar on Zoom and YouTube
Wednesday, October 30, 2024 @ 9:00 am – 10:30 am GMT

Invited Speakers

Ms Ruth Luzmore

Southampton Education School, University of Southampton, UK

Professor Chris Brown

Southampton Education School, University of Southampton, UK

Educators need to engage in continuous learning to ensure that their knowledge and practice responds to the changing needs of society and students. Collaborative approaches in which social capital resource (e.g. knowledge, resource and support) is exchanged with colleagues can serve as an effective way of facilitating such learning. Analyses of the benefits of social capital networks have primarily focused on intra-school communities of teachers from individual schools. However, inter-school networks are potentially richer sources of social capital, since they offer access to resources beyond that already available. With this presentation we draw on the findings of a systematic review, we seek to outline: 1) what inter-school networks are available internationally; 2) the features and activities present within them; and 3) evidence of impact. Our findings derive from 111 research outputs and highlight: the diverse range of different inter-school networks that exist, their myriad purposes and how these networks are enacted. Simultaneously, however, our review only identifies limited reliable evidence of the impact of inter-school social capital networks. We conclude by identifying what research is needed in future to improve our understanding of inter-school social capital networks.

About the presenters:

Ruth Luzmore: is a Research Fellow in the School of Education at the University of Southampton. Ruth has extensive experience in the education sector, having worked in various roles within state schools, including headteacher. Ruth’s current research includes developing innovative methods for training soft skills through video games for EU Horizon funded MEGASKILLs project; the role of Professional Learning Networks to support school leaders and teachers to raise standards; and, most recently work on the Ideas-Informed Society.

Professor Chris Brown: is Professor of Education (University of Southampton), Head of the Southampton Education School and Distinguished Visiting Professor, University of Tübingen. Chris has a long-standing interest in how people use networks to improve teaching and learning within schools and across school systems. Chris has written or edited some 22 books and nearly 100 journal articles in the broad sphere of research, evidence and ideas-use.

About Our Webinar Series

This event is part of our regular webinar sessions for social capital researchers including PhD/master students. These sessions include invited presentations from prominent scholars as well as presentations by PhD students and experts in professional practice.

For social capital researchers, these sessions are an opportunity to hear about the latest social capital research and insights from scholars working on the concept. They can be a great way to connect with people, to get advice, discuss ideas or issues, get suggestions for literature to read, or you can just listen.

Are you researching social capital and want to present your research? Click here for more information and to submit a proposal.

Generally, presentations can be 20 to 30 mins. The content of your presentation will depend on your research stage.

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