Research‐practice partnerships in education
Benefits, challenges, methodological considerations and key enablers for change
Bibliographic Data
| ID | 9614568 |
|---|---|
| Authors | Sarah McGeown (0000-0002-4877-8204, Moray House School of Education and Sport University of Edinburgh Edinburgh UK, corresponding author), Simon Sjölund (0000-0003-3485-7371, School of Education, Culture and Communication Mälardalen University Västerås Sweden) |
| Year | 2025 |
| Volume | 96 |
| Issue | 1 |
| Pages | 1-13 |
| Publication date | 2025-05-29 |
| Peer Reviewed | Yes |
| Open Access | Yes |
| Type | ARTICLE |
| Venue | British Journal of Educational Psychology (JOURNAL) |
| Journal identifiers | ISSN: 0007-0998 • E-ISSN: 2044-8279 |
| Publisher | Wiley (PUBLISHER • GB) |
| DOI | 10.1111/bjep.12785 |
| PMID | 40439951 |
| OpenAlex | W4410856768 |
| Language | EN |
| Citations received | 3 |
| References cited | 35 |
BACKGROUND: Research-practice partnerships reflect collaborations between researchers and practice-based professionals to co-produce new research knowledge and are often cited as one way to narrow the widely recognized gap between research and practice. Within the context of education, research-practice partnerships draw upon the knowledge, expertise and experience of researchers and practice professionals with the aim of co-producing methodologically robust and educationally relevant research aligned with priorities of practice. Over the last decade, this methodological approach has been gaining traction, yet it is not without its challenges and methodological considerations, which need to be understood and carefully navigated as this trajectory seems set to continue. AIMS: This article reviewed the benefits, challenges and methodological considerations associated with research-practice partnerships, and proposes four key enablers-infrastructure, funding, training and incentives-for research-practice partnerships to be optimally introduced, embedded and sustained. METHODS: Drawing upon the research literature and diverse examples of infrastructure, funding, training and incentives across different European contexts, specifically Sweden, Norway, Germany, England and Scotland, this article aimed to synthesize academic and real-world insights to advance knowledge and thinking in this area. CONCLUSIONS: This article provides a contemporary account of key enablers that can initiate, develop, and sustain research-practice partnerships, drawing on insights from the research literature and illustrative examples of existing structures. In doing so, it aims to make a significant contribution to knowledge, thinking and potentially practice, as we work more collectively and productively together to reduce education inequalities and improve the educational experiences and outcomes of children and young people
Best practice · Context (archaeology) · Engineering ethics · Incentive · Knowledge management · Political science · Public relations · Set (abstract data type) · Sociology · Computer Science · Early Childhood Education and Development · Educational Assessment and Improvement · Engineering · Health Policy Implementation Science · Psychology
“What the Hell Is This, and Who the Hell Are You?” Role and Identity Negotiation in Research-Practice Partnerships
Conceptualizing Research–Practice Partnerships as Joint Work at Boundaries
Whose Agenda is It? Navigating the Politics of Setting the Research Agenda in Education Research-Practice Partnerships
Working at the intersection of research and practice
Practice-Driven Data
Principles of Collaborative Education Research With Stakeholders
Why “What Works” Won’t Work
What is co-production? Conceptualising and understanding co-production of knowledge and policy across different theoretical perspectives
Fantasies and Realities in University-Community Partnerships
Towards a mechanism for expert policy advice in education
Research–Practice Partnerships in Education
Wallace Foundation Distinguished Lecture
Rethinking Connections Between Research and Practice in Education
Bridging the Gap Between Research and Practice
Intrinsic and Extrinsic Motivations
Weaving Community-University Research and Action Partnerships for environmental justice
Knowledge mobilization
| Unique citing works | 3 |
|---|---|
| Citations per year | 3 |
| Citation span | 2026 - 2026 (1) |
| Citation velocity | current |
| Highly cited | No |
| Citation types | Neutral: 3 |