New Fulbright award for education research

31 January 2008 MEDIA RELEASE

New Fulbright award for education research

Fulbright New Zealand last night launched a new award for education research, in partnership with the Cognition Education Research Trust (CERT). The Fulbright-Cognition Education

Research Trust Scholar Award in Education Research is for a New Zealand scholar to pursue research in the US designed to have an impact on New Zealand schooling and student achievement. The award is valued at up to US$20,000 plus travel expenses, for three to five months of research.

The new award continues a strong tradition of the Fulbright programme supporting educators and education research throughout its 60 year history. This includes 33 years of teacher exchanges between New Zealand and the US, and more recent programmes such as the

Fulbright-Hays seminars on which groups of American primary and secondary school teachers undertook an intensive study tour around New Zealand.

The award will provide a unique opportunity for people involved in the policy, research and practice of schooling in New Zealand, and is a welcome addition to the opportunities available to New Zealand scholars, particularly those in the field of education. “The demand for our scholar awards has increased dramatically over the last several years and there are never enough awards for all the sterling applicants who deserve one,” explains Mele Wendt, Executive Director of Fulbright New Zealand. “We are most appreciative and excited about our partnership with CERT. Both organisations are confident that this award will be successful in its aims of high quality research, increased professional links between educational contacts in both countries, and an enhanced profile and development of New Zealand education.” Cognition Education Research Trust is an independent organisation which aims to foster and encourage, promote and disseminate quality education research with a view to improving and developing the quality of teaching and learning in New Zealand schools. Its activities include providing grants to individuals completing postgraduate education programmes and also to groups of researchers, practitioners and policy makers. Fulbright alumna Anne Meade, a consultant to Cognition Consulting, was instrumental in setting up the new award. A Fulbright New Zealand Senior Scholar in 1999, she undertook research into neurological development and children’s thinking at several US institutions including the Families and Work Institute in New York and the University of Illinois. She is pleased to see a new opportunity for education research.

“Fulbright awards for educational research benefit countless students in New Zealand, as well as the recipient,” says Dr Meade. “I still use the knowledge I gained in the US in my teaching and writing almost every week. I keep tabs on US research programmes, which keeps me current in early childhood research overseas.” Applications for the inaugural Fulbright-Cognition Education Research Trust Scholar Award in

Education Research close on 1 May 2008. Fore more information about the award and how to apply, visit the Fulbright New Zealand website - www.fulbright.org.nz

ENDS

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