Postgraduate Researcher
www.birmingham.ac.uk/maria-bastaki
Current Status
Second year, full time
Research Topic
The impact of Model United Nations Conferences on global citizenship identity in a Greek Senior High School environment
Research Summary
A Model United Nations Conference is a unique 3-day simulation procedure that takes place in various school environments all over the world, at regional, national and international level. Senior High School students take on the roles of delegates and ambassadors representing a specific country in various UN forums, discussing all the major issues that plague humanity today, closely following the official rules of procedure of the UN. The Model United Nations Conference constitutes the stage on which adolescents play the roles and enact the simulation.
The aim of this study is to carry out research with a group of Model United Nations high school delegates, and examine the strengths and limitations of the MUN Conference, in relation to the idea of global citizenship identity. Through this project I would like to figure out to what extent this critical engagement might have an impact on the students’ self-concept and perception of global citizenship identity, in terms of skills, knowledge, attitude and behaviour. Moreover, I would like to examine what effect ongoing participation has on the students’ personal growth and development, if any, and what other factors might facilitate or hinder this change.
Research Interests
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Global citizenship education
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Democratic education
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Citizenship education
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Critical pedagogy
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Experiential learning
Research Supervisor
Dr Marion Bowl
Conferences
Bastaki, M. (2013) 'The use of photo-elicitation in exploring the perceived impact of Model United Nations Conferences on global citizenship identity, for Greek senior high school students', Paper presentation at the STORIES (Students’ Ongoing Research In Education Studies) Graduate Student Conference, Challenges and Innovation, 12-13 March 2013, Department of Education, University of Oxford.
Bastaki, Maria (2012) The Model United Nations School Conferences and global citizenship education. Poster presentation at The Agency Conference 2012, University of Cambridge, Faculty of Education.
Bastaki, M. (2012) The Model United Nations: an elitist educational tool for the few and lucky, or a challenge for the whole class? Paper presentation at the 11th Annual Research Student Conference, Championing Research, Educating Professionals: How compatible are Elitism, Inclusion and Social Justice?, 1st December 2012, School of Education, University of Birmingham, Birmingham.