International Research Network
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About
The World Education Research Association (WERA) has designated the MUSIC Model Research Lab and its affiliates as an International Research Network (IRN) titled Motivating Students: Motivational Climates that Engage Students. The IRN includes participants from many countries around the world. Participating in the IRN is free and open to anyone interested in working towards the goals and objectives of the IRN.
— Click here to complete a form to join the IRN.
Goal
The MUSIC Model of Motivation is a research-based framework designed to help educators foster a positive motivational climate by focusing on students’ perceptions of eMpowerment, Usefulness, Success, Interest, and Caring (MUSIC).
The overarching goal of this Motivating Students International Research Network is to advance the application, research, and cross-cultural understanding of the MUSIC Model of Motivation by fostering collaboration, mentorship, and dissemination among a global community of scholars.
Specific Objectives
1. Support a community of MUSIC model scholars by connecting researchers to share cultural perspectives, research, and mentorship.
2. Promote international collaborations on MUSIC model projects, including cross-national data sharing and pursuit of joint research funding.
3. Train and mentor faculty, students, and emerging researchers in applying and studying the MUSIC model.
4. Develop and disseminate training materials and case studies that demonstrate effective applications of the MUSIC model.
5. Share research findings broadly through publications, presentations, webinars, and online platforms to increase visibility and practical impact.
Opportunities for Participants
Complete this form to participate, and you will begin receiving newsletters with information about IRN activities. Participation will allow you to: 
1. Join and conduct research within an interest group of IRN participants.
— Share and analyze existing cross-national data to support collaborative studies.
— Co-develop and refine research questions to address gaps in the MUSIC model literature.
— Collaborate on funding proposals for international research projects.
— Present IRN research at conferences and co-author publications.
2. Participate in or lead webinars, workshops, or other events.
3. Train and mentor others (or receive mentorship) on applying or researching the MUSIC model.
4. Create and share teaching resources demonstrating MUSIC model applications.
5. Contribute to online dissemination efforts, including Voices from the Frontlines: The MUSIC Model in Action.
Research Areas
The following are illustrative examples of potential research questions and are not intended to be exhaustive. It may be helpful to group them into two broad categories: applied versus theoretical.
Applied
1. What MUSIC model interventions can be implemented to increase students’ engagement and learning?
— How do the effects of these interventions vary across different contexts (e.g., courses, countries, cultures)?
2. What types of professional development effectively prepare instructors to apply the MUSIC model in their teaching?
— How can case studies be used to illustrate the implementation of the MUSIC model and inform practice across diverse educational settings?
Theoretical
3. Which components of the MUSIC model are the most important for promoting student engagement and achievement across various contexts (e.g., courses, countries, cultures)?
4. To what extent are the scores from the MUSIC Inventory valid for use across different contexts?
— How can the MUSIC Inventory be improved to enhance its cross-cultural applicability and psychometric properties?
Newsletter
Here are the IRN Newsletters that participants received via email. Newsletters are published monthly.
Leadership
The leadership team for the Motivating Students IRN is comprised of six members on five continents. Brett Jones (brettjones@vt.edu) serves as the primary contact.
— Brett D. Jones, PhD, Professor, Virginia Tech, School of Education (0302), Blacksburg, VA 24061; brettjones@vt.edu
— With assistance from Virginia Tech PhD candidates such as Saylor Bane and Zeynep Ambarkutuk
— Tehmina Gladman, PhD, Education Adviser, Dean’s Department, University of Otago, Wellington, 23A Mein St., Newtown, Wellington, Wellington Campus, PO Box 7343, Newtown, 6242, New Zealand; gladman@otago.ac.nz
— Sümeyra Sahbaz, PhD, Scientific Associate, Bern University of Teacher Education, Fabrikstrasse 8, 3012, Bern, Switzerland; sahbaz@phbern.ch
— Ming Li, PhD, Associate Professor, Shanghai University of Engineering Science, School of Foreign Languages, No. 333, Longteng Rd, Songjiang, Shanghai, China; bahalucy@163.com
— Diego F. Carranza, Coordinator of Social and Institutional Well-being, Instituto Superior Tecnológico Compu Sur-TECSUR, Quito, Ecuador; dcarranza@itecsur.edu.ec
— Ásta Bryndís Schram, PhD, Associate Professor and Director for Educational Development, University of Iceland, School of Health Sciences, Vatnsmýrarvegur 16, 101 Reykjavík, Iceland; astabryndis@hi.is