Research areas team McElvany

The research areas of the group are characterized by a holistic perspective on educational processes in schools, in which dealing with heterogeneity, social inequalities, and digitalization play a central, cross-cutting role.

In the research area “Language Competencies and Reading”, the acquisition and promotion of linguistic skills take center stage. The focus is particularly on the development of reading competence, reading motivation, vocabulary, and language. The goal is to better understand learning processes, support them diagnostically, and effectively enhance them through targeted interventions. Current focal points include digital reading formats, the use of artificial intelligence in diagnostics and support, as well as the further development and validation of suitable assessment instruments.
The research area “Competencies for Democracy and Civil Society, Identity, and Social Cohesion” addresses the prerequisites for the active participation of young people in a democratic and diverse society. Particular attention is given to the assessment and promotion of civic literacy, aspects of identity formation (including in the STEM field), and diversity-related attitudes. The focus is both on individual developmental trajectories and on school conditions that can foster civic engagement and a sense of belonging.
In the research area “School Development and Education Systems”, the education system is examined in its institutional, structural, and professional dimensions from an international comparative perspective. Key topics include the design and implementation of (inter)national large-scale assessments, the analysis of teaching and learning processes, and the support of school development processes. The aim is to provide empirical evidence and impulses for sustainable school development and quality assurance.