Institute for Humanities, Education and Arts Research (IHEAR)

IHEAR is a multidisciplinary research institute dedicated to transform the lives of communities and individuals through empirical research, civic engagement, and partnerships. We thrive as a supportive, connected and inclusive research community with subject leaders, experts and aspiring researchers. We exist to bring positive changes to people’s lives and promote cultures, communities and human development.

We specialise in the following methodologies:

Behavioural-cognitive analysis
Cultural and literacy analysis
Participatory research
Large-scale data-driven inquiries
Socio-cognitive approach to assessment

IHEAR hosts the world leading Centre of English Language Learning and Assessment (CRELLA). Home of the socio-cognitive framework for assessment design and validation.

Our research partners and funders (from 2021) include:

Councils: Arts and Humanities Research Council, Arts Council England
Examination providers: British Council, Cambridge Assessment, Pearson, Password, Duolingo
Subject associations: British Educational Research Association (BERA), UK Association for Language Testing and Assessment (UKALTA)
Local Schools
Charities and NPOs
Artists

Our Vision

We exist to bring positive changes to people’s lives and promote cultures, communities and human development. Our vision is to:

empower marginalised, vulnerable, and under-represented communities to find and amplify their voices, and to embed these perspectives meaningfully within theory, practice, and policy;

lead critical explorations of the impacts of rapid advancements in AI and digital transformation on the Humanities, Arts, and Education, while creating inclusive pathways that sustain a strong human presence in technological systems;

identify and address systemic and institutional biases, driving equitable outcomes by closing achievement gaps through thoughtful design, innovative practice, and evidence-based policy.