Educational Research and Scottish Democracy (The 1998 Sera Lecture)

Abstract

Scottish educational research has a great deal to contribute to the evolution of Scottish democracy after the Scottish parliament is elected in May 1999. Educational research has relevant strengths in its empirical base, in its work on policy implementation, in its study of policy pluralism and networks, in its understanding of the social conservatism of influential aspects of Scottish culture, and in its impact on popular views about education. On the other hand, there has been remarkably little research on the popular politics of Scottish education. We know little of why education was one of the two or three most significant reasons why the 1997 referendum so clearly endorsed a Scottish parliament. And we have little research-based analysis of the nature of education’s past or prospective contribution to Scottish democracy. To take full advantage of the opportunities, Scottish educational researchers will have to develop a much fuller engagement than hitherto with politics and political culture.