We would like to extend our congratulations to Dr Trevor Lee, Associate Professor of the Department of Education Policy and Leadership, of his latest publication titled "Relational agency for inclusion: how a Hong Kong school and families co-construct collaborative strategies", co-authored with Dr Miron Kumar Bhowmik, Assistant Professor at the Department of Education Policy and Leadership, in British Journal of Sociology of Education. Abstract This article explores the intersecting perspectives of school and parent leaders in fostering home-school collaboration at a socioeconomically diverse primary school. Grounded in relational sociology, the study examines how collaborative strategies develop through relationships, focusing on intersubjectivity, reciprocity, and emotional bonding. We conducted a qualitative case study comprising semi-structured interviews with school leaders and parents supplemented by observational notes and follow-up participant-shared digital content. Thematic analysis revealed four key strategies: (i) flexible scheduling to accommodate working parents; (ii) culturally responsive practices such as creating translated materials and multicultural events; (iii) fostering parental leadership and volunteerism; and (iv) community collaborations like NGO partnerships and peer-support programs to address systemic barriers faced by families of children with special educational needs. The findings highlight the importance of mutual trust and shared decision-making as relational achievements, showing how relational agency enables schools and families to jointly address structural barriers.
Click HERE to read the full article.