Place, Positionality, and Performativity: Understanding and Overcoming the Barriers to Better Research-Practice Partnerships

• In Event: Marriott Roundtable Session 43
  In Roundtable Session: Putting Organizational Theory Into Practice

Abstract

Collaborative inter-organizational approaches, such as research-practice partnerships, are a commonly advocated approach to solving the complex challenges facing schools. Such approaches are less commonly undertaken and, arguably, done so with success even less frequently. In this theoretical analysis, we argue that barriers to more successful collaboration between K12 schools and university researchers are situated in three locations—place, positionality, and performativity or the 3 Ps. Through analysis and synthesis of diverse literatures in sociology, anthropology, organizations, networks and research methodology we develop an integrated theoretical framework. We then illustrate the conditions under which barriers imposed by the 3Ps might be overcome by applying our framework to the extended case of how to effectively leverage Professional Learning Communities in schools.

Authors

• Sharon D. Kruse, Washington State University - Vancouver

• Ebony N. Bridwell-Mitchell, Harvard University