Education Policy, Planning & Financing
This page contains a selection of published outputs from projects I have led related to education policy, planning and financing.
Other work in this space includes co-authoring a module on sources of financing for the World Bank's Global Policy Academy on Education Financing, and advisory work for the Education Outcomes Fund.
Using delivery approaches in education in LMICs
In 2024, I worked with Learning Generation Initiative to develop a practical guide for policymakers on how “delivery approaches” can be used to tackle the learning crisis through improving the implementation of education policies and programs
The project translated the insights from research undertaken through the FCDO’s 'DeliverEd' programme, and the wider literature on government system strengthening, into practical, actionable insights and guidance for government officials. The project was supported by FCDO through the What Works Hub for Global Education.
Regulating non-state education
With non-state schools providing education to a substantial number of children in LMICs, it is crucial that school operators are accountable - and that governments are supported to develop their regulatory frameworks.
I established a research partnership between Global Schools Forum and UNESCO, which explored Ministry and school operator perspectives on regulation. The research provides insights into how regulatory systems operate, and suggests areas where these systems can be strengthened to ensure all children are safe and have access to quality education.
COVID-19 & non-state education
In 2021, I led Global Schools Forum's COVID-19 research partnership with Education Development Trust. The partnership explored the impact of COVID-19 on non-state schools in India, Nigeria and Kenya through new survey research.
The research found that more than 3 in 4 of the schools surveyed were experiencing financial difficulties, and more than 1 in 3 reporting that teachers had resigned or been made redundant, and many teachers not receiving full salary. School leaders estimated that children had lost 5-8 months of learning, and reported mixed experiences in maintaining students' access to learning during closures.
I also presented this research at the UKFIET Conference 2021, and CIES Conference 2022.
Improving postgraduate financing in England
I led the Higher Education Commission’s year-long inquiry into the future of postgraduate education in England, which helped bring about the introduction of state-backed student loans for postgraduate taught students. The inquiry report was extensively covered in the UK press with 200+ items of coverage.
I also collaborated with Professor Geoff Whitty a chapter on postgraduate education in the Institute of Education Press book, Browne and Beyond: Modernising English Higher Education.
© Joel Mullan 2020-25. All rights reserved.
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