The group will have a particular focus on supporting the EEF to identify where research has the greatest potential to improve outcomes for socio-economically disadvantaged children and young people.
Drawing on their expertise and experience, members will provide advice on the areas and questions the EEF’s research should focus on, as well as insights into how to maximise the impact of this work.
The founding members of the expert advisory group are drawn from across education research and practice. The are, in alphabetical order:
- Carl Cullinane, Sutton Trust
- Claire Crawford, UCL Centre for Education Policy and Equalising Opportunities and Institute for Fiscal Studies
- Jennifer Barker, Ormiston Academies Trust
- Jo Twiby, Delta Academies Trust
- Julie McCulloch, Education Policy Institute
- Sam Gibbs, Greater Manchester Education Trust
- Steve Higgins, Durham University and WhatWorked Education
- Steve Strand, University of Oxford
Alongside the input of the advisory group, the EEF will launch a public consultation this autumn to gather insights from across England’s education sector. The consultation will surface some of the most pressing challenges facing the sector and help the EEF identify research questions where new evidence could have the greatest impact.
The new research agenda forms part of the EEF’s 10-year strategy, launched at the end of 2025.