Research Use in Schools Collaboration, 2016-2019

This project includes a portfolio of research examining research use and Knowledge Mobilisation in social policy and practice, and particularly in education. The Education Endowment Foundation (EEF) commissioned and convened the research, with specific research teams conducting the research activities. The project include: 1) Randomised Controlled Trial (RCT) evaluation of different approaches to disseminating and communicating research evidence. Led by Dr Ben Styles, National Foundation of Education Research (available at https://educationendowmentfoundation.org.uk/projects-and-evaluation/projects/the-literacy-octopus-communicating-and-engaging-with-research/). 2) Developing a standardised, quantifiable measure of research engagement in schools. Led by Dr Julie Nelson, National Foundation of Education Research (available at https://educationendowmentfoundation.org.uk/public/files/Evaluation/Research_Use/NFER_Research_Use_pilot_report_-_March_2017_for_publication.pdf). 3) Developing a behavioural approach to knowledge mobilisation. Led by Stephanie Waddell, Early Intervention Foundation (available at https://educationendowmentfoundation.org.uk/public/files/Publications/developing-a-behavioural-approach-to-knowledge-mobilisation.pdf). 4) Evaluation of EEF's 'Making Best Use of Teaching Assistants' scale-up campaign. Led by Prof. Bronwen Maxwell, Sheffield Hallam University (https://educationendowmentfoundation.org.uk/scaling-up-evidence/campaigns/making-best-use-of-teaching-assistants/evaluation/). 5) Evaluation of EEF's 'North East Primary Literacy' scale-up campaign. Led by Dr Julie Nelson, NFER (available at https://educationendowmentfoundation.org.uk/scaling-up-evidence/campaigns/north-east-literacy-campaign/evaluation/). 6) Evaluation of EEF's Research School Network. Led by Prof. Qing Gu, University College London (available at https://educationendowmentfoundation.org.uk/public/files/RS_Evaluation.pdf). 7) A review of the functions and work of the UK’s What Works Centres. Led by Prof. David Gough (available at https://eppi.ioe.ac.uk/cms/Default.aspx?tabid=3731)<p>In this project, we commissioned a portfolio of research on research use in education. This includes: a Randomised Controlled Trial (RCT) evaluation of different approaches to disseminating and communicating research evidence; developing a quantifiable measure of research engagement in schools; evaluating different models to scaling-up evidence-informed practice (e.g building capacity of knowledge broker intermediaries); and, piloting a behavioural approach to designing Knowledge Mobilisation strategies
In addition to the work in education we conduced a review of the functions and work of the UK’s What Works Centres.
Given the paucity of research examining knowledge mobilisation (KM) in social practice, we anticipate the findings will be of interest to a wide range of organisations involved in engaging users with evidence, across a range of different sectors. Practitioners and intermediaries should find interest in those projects investigating how to build capacity to use evidence and integrate it into practice. Policy makers will be particularly interested in different models to scaling-up evidence-based approaches, as well as the cost-effectiveness of different strategies. The Knowledge Mobilisation (KM) research community may find interest in the insights on research use and in methodological developments.</p>