Using research to promote equity within education systems: possibilities and barriers

Chapman, C. and Ainscow, M. (2019) Using research to promote equity within education systems: possibilities and barriers. British Educational Research Journal, 45(5), pp. 899-917. (doi: 10.1002/berj.3544)

Abstract

This article provides an evaluative account of its authors’ involvement in three major national improvement initiatives. Set in the context of three of the countries that make up the UK, these developments were focused in particular on the promotion of educational equity. Unusually, the analysis provided compares evidence collected from an insider perspective with data generated through independent evaluations. In so doing, it considers how research and researchers can contribute to system change by using research evidence to influence policy‐makers and practitioners at all levels of the system. The article argues that this requires the coming together of different perspectives in a process of social learning and knowledge creation within particular settings. This means that researchers have to overcome a number of barriers related to social, cultural and political factors. They therefore have to develop skills in creating collaborative partnerships that span boundaries between actors who have different types of professional experience. It is argued that researchers also need to mobilise support in dealing with the pressures that this involves. The article concludes with the presentation of a strategic framework that can be used to think about how school systems can be helped to make better use of research knowledge.

• Item Type: Articles
• Status: Published
• Refereed: Yes
• Glasgow Author(s) Enlighten ID: Chapman, Professor Christopher and Ainscow, Professor Mel
• Authors: Chapman, C., and Ainscow, M.
• College/School: College of Social Sciences > School of Education > Professional Learning and Leadership ; College of Social Sciences > School of Education; College of Social Sciences > School of Education > Educational Leadership & Policy
• Journal Name: British Educational Research Journal
• Publisher: Wiley
• ISSN: 0141-1926
• ISSN (Online): 1469-3518
• Published Online: 25 June 2019
• Copyright Holders: Copyright © 2019 British Educational Research Association
• First Published: First published in British Educational Research Journal 45(5):899-917
• Publisher Policy: Reproduced in accordance with the copyright policy of the publisher