Call for Research Proposals: Country Case Study on Education Leadership and Digital Transformation in the Republic of Korea for UNESCO’s Global Education Monitoring (GEM) Report

UNESCO’s Global Education Monitoring (GEM) Report team invites individuals and organizations to submit proposals for a country case study on education leadership and digital transformation in the Republic of Korea. This case study will contribute to the regional edition of the 2024/5 GEM Report, which focuses on education leadership and digital transformation in East Asia.

Background

The GEM Report is an evidence-based, independent annual publication by UNESCO that monitors progress toward global education targets, particularly those outlined in the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). Since its inception in 2002, the report has become a key resource for policymakers, researchers, and educators worldwide.

Each annual GEM Report has two main components:

1. Monitoring: Evaluates progress toward SDG 4 (Quality Education) and related education targets in other SDGs.
2. Thematic Focus: Explores a specific theme relevant to global education. The theme for the 2024/5 report is “Leadership in Education.”

Building on previous regional reports, the 2024/5 GEM Report includes three regional editions, one of which will explore education leadership and digital transformation in East Asia. This call for proposals specifically pertains to the Republic of Korea.

Objectives of the Case Study

The case study will analyze how education leadership in Korea is shaping and responding to digital transformation initiatives. While many East Asian countries are implementing ambitious digital reforms, the role of education leaders in facilitating these transformations is often underexamined.

Key areas of focus include:

• Leadership Requirements: What competencies and strategies are needed for effective leadership in digital education reform?
• Vision and Influence: How do education leaders drive digital transformation, and what are the indicators of their success?
• Impact on Education Outcomes: How does leadership influence the effectiveness of digital transformation in schools?
• Contextual Factors: What social, cultural, or institutional factors support or hinder leadership in digital transformation?
• Policy Support: What policies and programs are in place to develop leadership skills for digital transformation?

The study will provide a comprehensive analysis of Korea’s national policies and practices, focusing on how education leadership is demonstrated in digital transformation reforms.

Scope of Work

The case study will include:

• A description of Korea’s education governance structure and the level of autonomy schools have in decision-making.
• An overview of current digital transformation policies in Korea and their impact on education leaders.
• An examination of the support systems available for local government and school leaders to implement digital reforms.
• Identification of good practices and practical examples from two local government offices and two schools.

Expected Outputs

The final report will be approximately 10,000 words and structured as follows:

1. Introduction
2. Education Governance and School Autonomy
3. Digital Transformation Policies and the Role of Education Leaders
4. Support Programs for Leaders Implementing Digital Transformation
5. Good Practices in Education Leadership for Digital Transformation
6. Practical Examples from Local Governments and Schools
7. Conclusions and Recommendations
8. Bibliography

The report should be written in English and translated into Korean for publication.

Timeline

• Detailed Outline Submission: September 15, 2024
• First Draft Submission: December 2, 2024
• Final Draft Submission: January 31, 2025

Proposal Submission Guidelines

Interested applicants must submit:

• A technical proposal (maximum 3 pages) outlining the methodology, data sources, and work plan.
• A financial proposal.
• Full CVs of the expert(s) involved, including academic background and publication record.
• For legal entities: Proof of registration and other relevant documents.

Deadline for Submission: August 26, 2024

Proposals should be sent as a single PDF to the GEM Report team at gemrpost@unesco.org, with the subject line “Regional edition on education leadership and digital transformation in East Asia.” Please indicate whether you are applying as an individual or an entity.

Selection Criteria

Proposals will be evaluated based on:

• Proven research expertise in educational leadership and digital transformation.
• Methodological rigor in data collection and analysis.
• Experience in conducting case studies and literature reviews.
• Understanding of Korea’s education system.
• Ability to deliver high-quality reports in English.

Contact Information

For inquiries, please contact gemrpost@unesco.org. Responses to queries will be made available to all applicants by August 19, 2024, on the GEM Report website. Find out more from here: https://www.unesco.org/gem-report/en/articles/2024/5-east-asia-rep-korea