Our strategy is not just informed by data — it’s powered by it.
12,500+
Children involved in Born in Bradford research
100+
Bradford schools engaged in applied education research
1st
UK city to test integrated health and education data at scale
3
Major system-wide priorities underpinned by research (SEND, Workforce, Place-based Strategy)
4
Research institutions contributing to CAER-led studies in Bradford
100%
Of EALC initiatives informed by real-time data or published research
CAER Collaboration
EALC works closely with the Centre for Applied Education Research (CAER) — an internationally recognised research partnership led by Born in Bradford. CAER connects education settings with cutting-edge research and insights drawn from health, care, and community data.
This collaboration enables EALC to design and test new approaches that are both evidence-based and shaped by place. From SEND reform to early years readiness, our work is enhanced by real-time insights and deep research partnerships.
NIHR/HDRC Project
In 2024, EALC partnered with the NIHR Health Determinants Research Collaboration (HDRC) to lead a place-based research initiative focused on improving children’s life chances in Bradford. This project aims to:
- Develop research-active schools and services
- Embed research capacity into frontline education settings
- Co-produce insights with communities, teachers, and young people
- Identify what works — and what doesn't — in building integrated systems for children and families
Data-Led Strategy
Our data-led strategy supports place-based transformation by:
- Harnessing connected data from education, health, and care
- Ensuring decisions are evidence-based, not assumption-driven
- Supporting live testing of policies and interventions
- Tracking impact in real-time to adapt quickly and learn fast
Research is not an add-on – it’s a core function of system change. EALC is committed to making Bradford a national model for how education can work with, not around, data and research.