Research-Practice Partnerships: Dissemination Lessons From Two Regional Educational Laboratories

• In Event: 32.072 - Research-Practice Partnerships: Lessons Learned by Two Regional Educational Laboratories

Abstract

Objectives
The goal of this discussion is to share lessons learned by REL Midwest and REL-NEI in collaboratively developing and implementing communication and engagement strategies geared toward alliance members and broader audiences.

Theoretical Framework
Collaborative research partnerships are intended to include research and practitioner members in long-term relationships that address agreed-upon problems of practice through research. Engaging practitioners with results is an important facet of these partnerships. Traditionally, researchers disseminate findings in a format that is not very engaging to a broader audience, such as a lengthy technical report. Often, dissemination is conduction without consideration for the context and needs of stakeholders, including practitioners and policymakers. Research-practice partnerships provide opportunities to engage practitioners in communicating research findings through avenues that can influence changes in practice, policy shifts, and generation of new ideas.
Employing a variety of engagement strategies at different points of the research process builds bridges between practitioners and researchers. Building these connections facilitates application of knowledge, which leads to changes in practitioner and policymaker thinking and behavior (Johnson et al., 2009; Patton, 1997). Use of a variety of strategies also allows researchers to learn valuable information from the practitioner experts about educational context, informing the research process.

Methods and Evidence
REL Midwest and REL-NEI have implemented strategies that allow alliance members and regional stakeholders to engage with research as it best aligns with their goals, time, and other preferences. These approaches include working collaboratively with practitioners to plan communication and outreach, designing strategies for communicating and engaging with alliance members and external audiences, and developing tools and guidance to help researchers hone their communication and engagement skills.

Conclusions
Engaging practitioners and other stakeholders throughout the research process ensures that research products will be relevant and useful. Using collaborative communication and engagement strategies, researcher and practitioner partners can communicate about research in an accessible manner and increase the public’s understanding of valuable education research.

Scholarly Significance
The lessons learned by REL Midwest and REL-NEI will be useful for other researchers and practitioners seeking to engage relevant audiences in their work. The presenter will discuss various communication and engagement strategies, as well as lessons learned from using these strategies over the course of five years. The presenter also will provide examples of tools and guidance developed to support the communication and engagement planning process.

Authors

• Lisa Shimmel, American Institutes for Research

• Alicia N. Garcia, American Institutes for Research

• Sonica Dhillon, American Institutes for Research

• Rebecca A. Carey, Education Development Center, Inc.

• Jill Weber, Education Development Center, Inc.