Research
We are excited to announce the launch of a dedicated Research Hub. This new online hub is an invaluable resource for educational research within the BSME community and beyond.
This page serves as a central point for sharing innovative practices, academic studies, and relevant data that will benefit our member schools, educators, and the wider educational landscape in the Middle East. Please take the time to explore research projects from members of the BSME Community below, and learn how you can contribute.
People at the Heart of Schools: Exploring Culture and Collaboration
Research Project by Susana Gonçalves, Masters in School Administration Student at ISCTE - University Institute of Lisbon
At their heart, schools are communities of people: created by people, for people, and sustained through the daily commitment of staff, students, and families. The effectiveness of any school rests not only on structures and strategies, but on the quality of relationships and the culture that underpins them.
This research examines private international schools in the GCC, investigating how organisational culture influences the working relationship between teaching and non-teaching staff by drawing on the well-established Organisational Culture Assessment Instrument (OCAI) and a bespoke “Culture and Team Dynamics” survey.
The process is straightforward: two short online questionnaires, each requiring no more than 15 minutes to complete. All responses are fully anonymised, and each participating school will receive a tailored report summarising the findings, together with practical recommendations for strengthening cultural alignment in day-to-day practice.
For principals, the study offers an opportunity to:
• Obtain deeper insights into how staff experience the school’s culture.
• Identify areas of alignment and divergence across teams.
• Draw on evidence-based findings to inform leadership decisions and enhance collaboration.
Participation enables each school to contribute to a wider regional study while benefiting from bespoke feedback to support its own improvement priorities. For further information or to participate, please enquire by email via the link below.