Mobilising professional knowledge: A collaborative research-based approach to support school leadership

In this session I will consider the potential of collaboration to support teachers and leaders in developing and improving their professional practice. Drawing on a research initiative that spanned the global pandemic, I will discuss the role of university researchers in creating spaces for participating educators to engage in cross-border dialogue and reflection with their peers.

This serves as a reminder of the appetite amongst teachers and leaders to engage in professional collaboration (Armstrong & Ainscow, 2018) and of the vast pools knowledge that exist within schools (Ainscow et al, 2012). I will argue that more could be done to capitalise on this (often untapped) expertise and enthusiasm for between-school collaboration to enable a greater mobilization of professional knowledge within education systems.

I will conclude by drawing links with the Educational Leadership in Practice (ELiP) programme through which we promote networking, reflection and the development of a research consciousness as a means of professional development and growth.