How a Research-Practice Partnership Created the Conditions and Space for Collaborative Design

• In Event: Thursday Roundtable Session 12:40 pm
  In Roundtable Session: A Tale of Two Research-Practice Partnerships: Varied Approaches to Collaborative Research Within a Single University (Table 1)

Abstract

Founded in 2016, our research-practice partnership (RPP) is organized as a research alliance that leverages the infrastructure and expertise of a university with that of two local school districts to focus on issues of equity in education. It is championed by leadership in both the research and practice institutions, with a small core of dedicated staff and a work group that consists of that dedicated staff, partnership coordinators, and district research staff. A set of joint research agendas guide the RPP’s work.
When the efforts highlighted here began, the RPP had been running for several years. Most participants already were familiar with each other through RPP engagement and, in many cases, had previously collaborated. The relationships and trust established through these experiences—as well as mutually-developed partnership agreements outlining RPP values and expectations—expedited and enriched the work. Continued positive working relationships allowed for the feedback loops necessary to iterate and scale up.
In addition, core staff provide expertise, capacity, and administrative support to all RPP partners and stakeholders. University staff regularly convene partners, maintain communication across participants, and contribute to dissemination efforts.

Authors

• Jana Grabarek, Northwestern University

• Jen Lewin, Northwestern University