Researchers

Cultivate equitable partnerships with external stakeholders

especially those groups that will be affected by the research, from the outset of research projects. Seek out practitioner, parent, policy maker, and student voices when designing and implementing the research rather than treating them only as audiences for the results. Mutualistic partnerships that attend to equity can ensure that questions address relevant issues and improve the likelihood that evidence will be used.

Report findings in language that is free of jargon and easily accessible

to parents, classroom teachers, and other non-researchers. Include discussion of what the research findings might look like in practice for various stakeholders. Too often, research sits outside of school contexts and is not accessible to the educators, families, and policymakers who may want to use it.

Participate in public discussion

by pursuing alternative outreach channels (e.g., open source journals, non-expert conferences, blog posts, op-eds, school board meetings). This means moving beyond traditional formats (e.g., peer-reviewed journals, research conferences) that too-often exclude the vast majority of stakeholders.

Create institutional cultures, incentives, and training opportunities

at universities and beyond that support researchers at different career stages and of different backgrounds to engage in this work.