Educators’ collaborative use of research to inform practice

The use of research by educators as part of school and system improvement is gaining increased attention internationally. Whilst there is growing recognition that research use is a ‘social process’, there remains little in-depth understanding, particularly in Australia, about the role that collaborations can play in supporting the use of research in practice.

This presentation draws on the findings of Monash Q Project’s 2020 survey of nearly 500 Australian educators which focused on their attitudes towards and uses of research in practice. Early insights suggest that educators draw on and value relationships when using research, but collaborate differently depending on the task (e.g., finding versus interpreting versus implementing research). These insights not only help to validate the Q Project’s conceptual framework that emphasises ‘relationships’ as one key enabler of quality research use, but also to inform school and system leaders about the ways in which collaboration can support improvement.