Researching Leadership for Learning in Seven Countries (The Carpe Vitam Project).

Abstract

This article examines issues arising in the design and conductcif a research project spanning seven countriesandfive national languages. With a shared focus on leadershipfor learning among theparticipating twenty four schools and eight university sites, the challenge was tofind a common methodology that would allow comparison across cultures with quite differing histories and working in different policy and linguistic contexts. The authorsdescribe the quantitative measures which afforded a basisfor comparison and discuss the challenge cif bringing togetherfindings from qualitative data derivedfrom researchers bringingdifftrent traditions and cultural constraints to their work with schools. Treating differences as a potential strength rather than an impediment has allowed memberscif the research team to learnfrom each other and develop what is termed an 'emergent andeclectic' methodology. The Leadership for Learning (Carpe Vitam) project: is an international research and development project funded for three years until December 2005 by the Wallenberg Foundation in Sweden, with further financial support from participating countries. The project is directed from the University of Cambridge by John MacBeath, and eo-directed by David