Universities forge transatlantic links
Posted on 27 March 2009
A delegation from the University of York is visiting Johns Hopkins University (JHU) in Baltimore to consider evidence-based reform in education, evidence-based health policy and practice as well as new developments in medical and science education.
These seminars will draw on the significant expertise in healthcare, science education and education reform that York and JHU have
Professor Bob Slavin
The link between the universities was established when Professor Bob Slavin, of Johns Hopkins University, an internationally-renowned education researcher, became founding director of York’s Institute for Effective Education. He holds a joint appointment with JHU and York, and is bringing about exciting links between education policy in the US and the UK.
"York has an international reputation for evidence-based healthcare, and I found a natural synergy between that and our evidence-based education reform at JHU," said Professor Slavin.
"These seminars will draw on the significant expertise in healthcare, science education and education reform that York and JHU have."
The York delegation will be led by the Deputy Vice-Chancellor Professor Trevor Sheldon and will include the University’s Pro-Vice-Chancellor for External Relations Dr Chris Henshall.
JHU attendees will be led by Professor Ralph Fessler, Dean of the School of Education and Professor Michela Gallagher, Vice-Provost for Academic Affairs and will include staff from the Schools of Education, Medicine and Public Health and the Carey Business School.
During the two-day meeting, representatives of the two universities will consider what evidence-based study of education and of health can learn from each other. They will also explore a number of potential collaborative projects, including joint research, policy outreach and student and faculty exchanges.
Professor Sheldon said: "The core of the seminar is to jointly explore how robust research evidence can be generated and used to inform practice and policy in education and health care. It is exciting that not only are researchers who lead in these fields from two of the top universities getting together, but also we are trying to see what lessons there are across education and health care."
ENDS
Notes to editors:
- More information on the University of York at www.york.ac.uk
- More information on Johns Hopkins University at www.jhu.edu/
- The Department of Educational Studies at the University of York is one of the top ten education departments in the UK, having been ranked eighth in the 2008 Research Assessment Exercise. The most recent reviews of our teaching have rated our degree programmes as ‘‘excellent’ and our teacher training course as ‘outstanding’.
- The Institute for Effective Education (IEE) at York develops, evaluates, and disseminates effective education programmes, and promotes evidence-based policies. The IEE is an independent organisation. It is not driven by current political trends, by what can be profitable, or by what contributes to scholarship alone. Its focus is establishing what works for children and young people, and communicating this information to educators, policy-makers, and researchers.
- More information about the National Science Learning Centre based on the University of York’s Heslington campus is at www.sciencelearningcentres.org.uk/