The pioneering work and exceptional legacy of Tom Alexander (March 11, 1940–January 22, 2012) in promoting social justice through education will be continued through a fellowships program that was recently launched by the Organisation for Economic Collaboration and Development (OECD).
Fellows will have the opportunity to join one of the world’s leading teams in this field at the OECD Headquarters to conduct research and analysis of the extensive OECD educational dataset (from PISA, TALIS, PIAAC, etc.),which is as renowned as it is unique in scale, scope and value.
The unique emphasis of the fellowships on both quality and equity in education, particularly in emerging economies, makes them an opportunity to strengthen capacity for quantitative research and analysis on ideas that are crucial for open society. The research will enable an informed response to the growing need for evidence in education policy and practice. It promises to be crucial for effective advocacy on education justice and to bring policy choices made by governments into stark relief.
Mr. Alexander was the Director for the OECD’s Education, Employment, Labor and Social Affairs Directorate from 1989–2000. He steered the launch of the OECD’s Program for International Student Assessment (PISA), which he conceived as a tool for governments to build relevant skills for all children and to turn these skills into better social and economic outcomes. Tom served on the General Education Sub Board of the Open Society Foundations for over ten years.
About the fellowship program:
The Tom J. Alexander Fellowship Program will support individuals in conducting quantitative, evidence-based research on education, particularly in emerging economies. The program will provide funding for up to one year, including time spent at OECD headquarters in Paris. Fellows, who will be encouraged to link their research to education policy and practice, particularly on equity in education, will be selected from among individuals working at universities, research institutes, government agencies or professional organizations. Candidates will be selected on the basis of the originality, potential, and scientific rigor of their proposals. Fellows will be expected to produce a publishable research paper or report at the end of their fellowship.