Welcome to the TESF Network Plus
We support collaborative research to develop understanding of how education systems can act as drivers of sustainable development in India, Rwanda, Somalia/Somaliland and South Africa.
The Transforming Education for Sustainable Futures network is funded by the Global Challenges Research Fund through the Economic and Social Research Council Network Plus scheme. It is coordinated out of the University of Bristol and works with partners in India, Rwanda, Somalia/Somaliland, South Africa, the United Kingdom and the Netherlands. It is due to run for three and a half years, from November 2019 to April 2023.
Our research addresses the role of education in climate action, decent work and sustainable cities. Addressing inequalities relating to poverty, gender and the status of indigenous knowledge are cross-cutting themes in our work, as are concerns for foregrounding marginalised voices and decolonising research.

Call for Proposals – now open!
Our aim is to develop new knowledge that can assist education policy makers, practitioners, non-governmental and community-based organisations to implement policies and practices in education that are transformative and can contribute to ensuring equitable, just and environmentally sustainable development.
We are looking to fund and support a balanced mix of exploratory, innovative studies and pilot projects within the four countries of India, Rwanda, Somalia/Somaliland and South Africa. Funding levels will vary from small (up to £10k), medium (up to £30k) to large (up to £100k) for projects lasting between 12-18 months. Proposals will be expected to show how the co-production of new knowledge will contribute to the TESF network’s objectives.
Our call for proposals is now open for Rwanda, Somalia/Somaliland and South Africa. We hope to publish details on our call in India by end of February 2021.

Latest research
We are conducting research in to how education systems are responding to the impact of Covid-19.
Action-based research in Rwanda is exploring the use of solar-powered radios to reach poor communities in remote areas.
This Sociology Mind article explores the educational and broader social impacts of Covid-19 control measures in the education sector in Somalia/Somaliland.
This rapid response paper reflects the network’s collective experience in terms of responses to the current crisis caused by the pandemic.

Latest outputs
- Building a Reciprocal Relationship between Education and SDG 11
- South Africa First Engagement paper
- South Africa - Background paper
- Somalia/Somaliland - Background paper
- Rwanda - Background paper
- India - Background paper
- Co-Creating Education for Sustainable Futures
- Skills for Sustainable Futures
- Transforming Education for Sustainable Futures: Foundations paper

Latest events
- Webinar - Re-imagining Curriculum in India: Charting a Path beyond the Pandemic
- Webinar - Skills for Sustainable Futures
- Webinar - Unintended Methodologies: arts-based research practices as forms of listening
- Webinar - Re-imagining UK Education Research Partnerships in the South
- Webinar – Conceptualising Education for Sustainable Futures: Framing the work of the TESF Network Plus