The Department for Education has released new Areas of Research Interest. These are research areas and questions which are of particular current interest to the DfE, and they welcome evidence from researchers which can support work in these areas. These include ARIs specific to the DfE, and cross-cutting areas which connect to other governmental departments.

Contributing evidence to areas of research interest can be a great mechanism to apply your research to current real-world problems, forming pathways to impact and developing connections with policymakers.

The new Areas of Research Interest are summarised below, but you can find more detail including specific research questions in the new DfE publication. This publication also includes advice on how to engage with the DfE if you believe that you are working in a relevant area of research. You can find more advice on engaging with policymakers in the Impact and Knowledge Exchange Resources Drive, particularly Planning impact involving government policy and Communicating with policymakers to generate impact.

Priority Areas of DfE Research Interest

Best start in life, considering early years in childhood and how to give every child the best start.

Every child achieving and thriving, considering supporting every child to feel good and do well regardless of their background.

Skills for opportunity and growth, considering enabling learners to make informed decisions particularly around continuing education.

Family security, considering the role of what happens at home in school experiences and attainment.

Keeping children safe, considering all types of safety including “safeguarding at home and in care and online safety”.

Family support, considering both family-focused solutions and contexts lacking family support.

Cross-cutting Areas of Research Interest

Workforce, considering cost-effective recruitment and retention, workforce development, and deployment of specialist workforces.

Technology, considering the role of technology from early years to adult education and in child safety, the measurement and implementation of the impacts of technology, and safe handling of data within education and children’s social care.

Buildings and Environment, including the appropriateness and environmental impacts of educational estates and future place and settings needs for education.