Possible research studentship in science education:
Exploring Conceptual Learning, Integration and Progression in Science Education
Cambridge, UK

From time to time I get emails from potential research students
looking for posts or studentships. I usually have to reply to the say
that funding is unlikely to be available - I expect in common with
many other science educators in the UK.

I am lucky to be in an institution where a small number of
studentships are awarded in Education, and this year we have decided
to suggest a limited number of areas where potential students may
wish to apply (without suggesting that funding will necessarily go
these areas: the match with preferred topics will be just one of the
factors used to evaluate applications). Science Education has been
included as one of the areas to be suggested, and so I'm circulating
the information from the faculty website (from
http://www.educ.cam.ac.uk/ftrc/esrc.html) in case any potential
applicant may be interested in this topic.



ESRC Funding

The Economic and Social Research Council is the UK's leading agency
for funding research and training in social and economic issues. As
such it is the main source of publicly funded support for Master's
and PhD students in Education.

The ESRC requires all PhD students to have successfully completed an
ESRC recognised research training course. If you have not already
completed such a training, you must follow the Faculty's ESRC
recognised MPhil/MEd in Educational Research course before embarking
on a PhD.

Two forms of funding are available from the ESRC, depending on
whether or not you need to take the MPhil/MEd research-training
course. For those who have not already undertaken such training, the
ESRC funds linked MPhil/PhD awards (1+3); for those that have
completed such training (or are in the process of doing so), 3 year
PhD-only studentships (+3) are available. Either of these routes can
be followed on a part time basis.

Eligibility for ESRC studentships is restricted to UK and EU applicants only.

Successful UK applicants receive awards covering tuition (and
college) fees together with maintenance grants. EU award holders
receive awards covering tuition (and college) fees only but may also
apply for a maintenance grant if they have lived in the UK for three
years prior to their application.

The Faculty hopes to have four 1+3 quota places to allocate this
year. These are awarded following consideration by a Faculty
selection panel. The allocation of +3 studentships is decided by a
national competition run by the ESRC, in which the Faculty has an
excellent record of success.

While not wishing to dissuade any applicant applying to research in
any field the Faculty would particularly welcome applications from
those wishing to research in the following areas:

Š
Academic Group: Science Education
Topic:Exploring Conceptual Learning, Integration and Progression in
Science Education [http://www.educ.cam.ac.uk/eclipse/index.html ]
This work seeks to develop a better understanding of how conceptual
learning occurs in science, with a particular focus on how well the
learner's conceptions are integrated, and how conceptual frameworks
develop over time.
Supervisory team: Dr. Keith Taber
[http://www.educ.cam.ac.uk/staff/taber.html], Professor Donald
McIntyre & Dr. David Whitebread

ŠFor further information on how to apply please check the Faculty of
Education website in January 2006 or email Emma Rixon
(er206@...). For ESRC information about funding, see:
http://www.esrcsocietytoday.ac.uk/ESRCInfoCentre/opportunities/postgraduate/fund\
ingopportunities/index.aspx

Higher Degrees & PPD Office
Faculty of Education, 184 Hills Road, Cambridge CB2 2PQ
Phone: +44 1223 767726
Fax: +44 1223 767602
E-mail: kdd20@...

--
Dr. Keith S. Taber
http://www.educ.cam.ac.uk/staff/taber.html
University Senior Lecturer in Science Education
Programme Manager, Part-time Ph.D. in Education
University of Cambridge Faculty of Education
184 Hills Road
Cambridge CB2 2PQ
United Kingdom


to join an electronic discussion list on
learning in science
please visit
http://uk.groups.yahoo.com/group/learning-science-concepts

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