Knowledge Mobilisation

 

About the IALEI research theme 2011

The project for 2011 is to explore what we know about the most effective mechanisms for universities, as primary producers of education research, to move research into policy and practice. The term ‘knowledge mobilisation’ is one of a number of terms used to describe the processes through which research influences policy and practice. There has been a huge expansion of interest in this issue around the world, on the part of universities, research funding agencies, governments, and other education partners. But the flurry of activity is not yet matched by reliable knowledge about what is being done or how effective various approaches are.

Recommendations

The term knowledge mobilization is one of a number of terms used to describe the processes through which research influences policy and practice. Universities play a vital role in the process of knowledge production and use in education in the global knowledge society. Universities are key institutions which governments around the world can tap for knowledge and evidence to support policy initiatives, as they are typically the largest producers of research in education. They are actively involved in many ways in connecting research to the wider education community. Knowledge mobilisation is therefore very much needed as a strategic effort, but the process of research knowledge mobilisation is complex. It involves many aspects of the ways universities operate, the structure of governments, school systems, and the various mediating factors and organisations that act in and between researchers and schools. IALEI makes the following       three recommendations based on ten national studies and a synthesis report.
 

Conference and symposium 2011

How can universities, as primary producers of education research, transform research into policy and practice in education? Knowledge mobilisation was both discussed at an international symposium on 14 June 2011 and in connection to IALEI’s international conference on 15 June 2011. Both events were held in collaboration with Dr. Elizabeth King, Director of Education at the World Bank, and Head of the OECD’s Centre for Educational Research and Innovation (CERI), Professor Dirk Van Damme, OECD/CERI. View more about the       events  

IALEI researchers engaged in the 2011 theme

The names of the researchers engaged in the 2011 project are:

  • Australia, Melbourne Graduate School of Education, University of Melbourne: Professor John Polesel

  • Brazil, Faculty of Education, University of Sao Paulo: Professor Romualdo Portela de Oliveira

  • Canada, Ontario Institute for Studies in Education, University of Toronto: Professor Ben Levin and Graduate Assistant Jie Qi

  • China, School of Education, Beijing Normal University: Professor Hong Chengwen

  • Denmark, Department of Education, Aarhus University: Executive Director Claus Holm

  • South Africa, School of Education, University of Cape Town: Professor Johan Müller and Dr. Ursula Hoadley

  • South Korea, Department of Education, Seoul National University: Professor Lynn Ilon

  • Singapore, National Institute of Education, Nanyang Technological University: Associate Professor Teh Laik Woon

  • UK, Institute of Education, University of London: Professor David Gough

  • USA, School of Education, University of Wisconsin Madison: Professor Sarah Mason

Chair of this IALEI research team is Professor Ben Levin, Ontario Institute for Studies in Education, University of Toronto.