From Fellowship to Practice: Leveraging Knowledge Brokering to Promote Research Use in Education

• In Event: AERA Roundtable Session Saturday 1:30 pm Four Seasons Ballroom 2-3
  In Roundtable Session: Bridging Research and Practice: Navigating Challenges in Knowledge Use and Educational Renewal (Table 8)

Abstract

This paper investigates the impact of the CREATEd Fellowship, a 12-month professional development program, on enhancing knowledge brokers' skills and their practical use. The study explores: 1) What competencies gained from the fellowship are applied in practice? 2) How do brokers' roles within the education system influence their application of research knowledge? Initial findings indicate significant improvements in employing equity-centered processes, applying research use and knowledge brokering theories, facilitating equitable engagement, assisting diverse constituencies, leveraging integration opportunities, and creating systems for research-informed change. Fellows reported implementing these skills in their roles, though creating systems for research-informed change was less emphasized. The research underscores the value of targeted professional development in advancing evidence-based practices.

Authors

• Samantha Jo Shewchuk, University of Delaware

• Elizabeth N. Farley-Ripple, University of Delaware

• Carolyn Hammerschmidt, University of Delaware