An exploration of individual, job, and organizational characteristics associated with district research leaders' knowledge brokering work
Date
2022-10-18
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
Education Policy Analysis Archives
Abstract
The role of district research leaders (DRLs) in central offices has emerged as a strategy for improving the creation, flow, and use of research knowledge in decision-making. However, there is limited information about the responsibilities, opportunities, and challenges inherent in these roles. This exploratory qualitative study features document analysis to examine the individual backgrounds, job demands, and organizational contexts of DRLs. The result of this study suggest that multiple pathways to the DRL role exist, but few include formal training in knowledge brokering. Further findings suggest that DRL jobs are complex and entail diverse tasks, but share a focus on research leadership and coordination, identifying and obtaining relevant research information, and facilitating evidence-informed change. Moreover, organizational contexts varied in supportiveness for knowledge brokering work. Overall, there was limited evidence of alignment across individual, job, and organizational characteristics, signaling an opportunity to better define and support those in DRL roles.
Description
This article was originally published in Education Policy Analysis Archives. The version of record is available at: https://doi.org/10.14507/epaa.30.7242
Keywords
district research leaders, central office administrators, school district, knowledge broker, research use
Citation
Shewchuk, S. J., & Farley-Ripple, E. (2022). An exploration of individual, job, and organizational characteristics associated with district research leaders’ knowledge brokering work. Education Policy Analysis Archives, 30, (153). https://doi.org/10.14507/epaa.30.7242