CERD

The Centre for Educational Research and Development (CERD) carries out fundamental, applied and developmental interdisciplinary research, as well as educational activities which aim to develop the educational sciences and the education system.
The Centre’s mission is realized through the systematic professional development of its research staff who are focused on developing their expertise in different areas of the educational sciences, trained for interdisciplinary teamwork and committed to the development of partnership relations with key education stakeholders in Croatia and abroad.
The Centre was established in January 2001 at the initiative of professors from the Faculty of Philosophy in Zagreb (Department of Pedagogy, Psychology, Sociology and Philosophy), the Faculty of Teacher Education, University of Zagreb and researchers at the Institute for Social Research in Zagreb. The initiative was supported by experts from other Croatian universities and institutions, and in particular the Institute for Social Research in Zagreb, the Open Society Institute – Croatia, the Croatian Ministry of Science and Technology and the Croatian Ministry of Education and Sports.
The Centre’s activities include the following thematic areas:

• curriculum (teaching plans and programmes, teaching materials)
• internal and external evaluation of educational outcomes
• organisational structure of the education system
• improving the quality of learning and teaching in schools
• pre-service and in-service teacher training, training of other professionals in education
• social dimension of education
• gender dimension of education
• educational and professional choices of students.

The Centre is a member of several international education-related networks: EERA (European Educational Research Association), NEPC (Network of Education Policy Centers), CIDREE (Consortium of Institutions for Development and Research in Education in Europe), SEEECN (South East Europe Education Cooperation Network). The Centre is the head office of the Croatian Educational Research Association (CERA) which is a member association of the international EERA network.
The Centre is also one of the founders and partners in the HEISEE initiative (Higher Education Initiative for Southeastern Europe). The mission of the HEISEE initiative is to enhance the quality of higher education in the region. Other partner institutions in the Initiative are: the Institute of Higher Education, University of Georgia (USA), the University of Rijeka, the Institute for the Development of Education, the Agency for Science and Higher Education (ASHE) and the U.S. Embassy in Zagreb.