TABLE OF CONTENTS
Below you’ll find answers and resources to the following question:
EXPLORING ISSUES OF POWER IN PARTNERSHIPS
Research-practice partnerships (RPPs) by design challenge the historical imbalance of power that has characterized the production of research knowledge, as they bring together representatives of the education practice and research communities to engage in collaborative work. Additionally, RPPs often explicitly work to address disparities in educational opportunity and attainment. Yet, RPP processes are still prone to the same unintended biases shaping other well-intentioned endeavors, and many of the organizations participating in RPP work are shaped by the same histories of oppression and institutional racism that have produced and continue to produce inequities in education. Those of us engaging in RPP work must therefore actively interrogate the role of race and power in our work and home organizations if we hope to meaningfully challenge oppressive systems and practices.
As a starting point for how the RPP community can take part in ending current systems of oppression and creating a more equitable future, we have previously put forth the following ideas (read more in our Statement on George Floyd):
(1) Collaboratively explore the ways in which institutional and systemic forces continue to uphold the very patterns we are trying to break, and identify ways in which the practice and research communities can lead for change. This includes assessing our own home institution’s processes, programs, and people for evidence of practices perpetuating racism.
(2) Ensure equitable engagement of all stakeholders in the production and use of evidence to support decision making, especially seeking out the voices and meaningful engagement of communities that have historically experienced marginalization, and committing to responsible use of such evidence.
(3) Carefully assess assumptions that are held with respect to the framing of research questions, the collection of data, and the use of such knowledge in decision making, paying close attention to ways in which the research may unintentionally perpetuate a false narrative.
The resources we share here offer a much deeper look at issues of power, oppression, and racism in partnerships and in research production and use.
One last note: We have grouped these resources in their own separate bubble but this should not be taken as a signal that this critical work should be done separately from all other aspects of RPPs. Rather, we call it out here for greater emphasis of its importance, and aim to embed these practices and ideas in all other bubbles in the Knowledge Clearinghouse as well, from launching and partnering to engagement and the examination of RPP effectiveness.
RESOURCES | Suggested Organizations to Follow
AORTA: ANTI-OPPRESSION RESOURCE & TRAINING ALLIANCE
AORTA is a worker-owned cooperative of facilitators and strategists helping movements renew a stronger sense of liberatory vision, values, and purpose. AORTA aims for effective organizational transformation that requires challenging entrenched power structures and an remaking structures, cultures, and behaviors that reinforce current power imbalances.
CHICAGO BEYOND
Chicago Beyond is an impact investor working to provide more equitable access and opportunity for Chicago youth by investing in organizations, community leaders, and equitable research opportunities that are positioned to positively impact the lives of young people in Chicago.
NATIONAL EQUITY PROJECT
The National Equity Project is a leadership and systems change organization with the mission to transform the experiences, outcomes, and life options for children and families who have been historically underserved by our institutions and systems.
YDEKC: YOUTH DEVELOPMENT EXECUTIVES OF KING COUNTY
YDEKC connects, strengthens, and amplifies the leaders of youth-serving organizations across King County so that every young person has the opportunity and support to learn, lead, connect, contribute, and thrive.
RESOURCES | Suggested Readings on Power in Partnerships
ADVANCING INSTITUTIONAL CHANGE TO ENCOURAGE FACULTY PARTICIPATION IN RESEARCH-PRACTICE PARTNERSHIPS
Adam Gamoran | 2023
Article published in Educational Policy
ANTI-RACIST RESEARCH PRACTICE PARTNERSHIPS AS CRITICAL EDUCATION: DISMANTLING THE MASTER’S HOUSE WITH THEIR OWN TOOLS?
Richard J Smith, Camille Wilson, Paulina Fraser, Margaret O’Connell Hanna, and Jasahn Larsosa | 2023
Article published in Journal of Community Practice
CONCEPTIONS AND PRACTICES OF EQUITY IN RESEARCH-PRACTICE PARTNERSHIPS
Caitlin C. Farrell, Corinne Singleton, Kristina Stamatis, Robbin Riedy, Paula Arce-Trigatti, and William R. Penuel | 2023
Article published in Educational Policy
DISRUPTING WHITE SUPREMACY AND ANTI-BLACK RACISM IN EDUCATIONAL ORGANIZATIONS
John B. Diamond and Louis M. Gomez | 2023
Article published in Educational Researcher
EQUITABLE RESEARCH-PRACTICE PARTNERSHIPS: A MULTILEVEL REIMAGINING
Kemi A. Oyewole, Sumit Karn, Jen Classen, and Maxwell M. Yurkofsky | 2023
Article published in The Assembly
IT’S COMPLICATED: EXAMINING POLITICAL REALITIES AND CHALLENGES IN THE CONTEXT OF RESEARCH-PRACTICE PARTNERSHIPS FROM THE SCHOOL DISTRICT LEADER’S PERSPECTIVE
Kylie Klein | 2023
Article published in Educational Policy
POLITICS AT THE BOUNDARY: EXPLORING POLITICS IN EDUCATION RESEARCH-PRACTICE PARTNERSHIPS
Kyo Yamashiro, Laura Wentworth, and Moonhawk Kim | 2023
Article published in Educational Policy
RACIAL EQUITY TOOLKIT: A REFLECTION AND RESOURCE GUIDE FOR COLLECTIVE IMPACT BACKBONE STAFF AND PARTNERS
Dominique Samari and Paul Schmitz | 2023
Toolkit produced by the Collective Impact Forum
UNPACKING THE POWER DYNAMICS OF FUNDING RESEARCH-PRACTICE PARTNERSHIPS
Peter Rivera and Marc Chun | 2023
Article published in Educational Policy
“WHY AM I ALWAYS BEING RESEARCHED?” AN APPLICATION TO RPPs, PART 2
Nina Spitzley | 2023
Article published in NNERPP’s quarterly magazine NNERPP | Extra
EQUITY AND SOCIAL JUSTICE IN RESEARCH PRACTICE PARTNERSHIPS IN THE UNITED STATES
Amy Vetter, Beverly S. Faircloth, Kimberly K. Hewitt, Laura M. Gonzalez, Ye He, and Marcia L. Rock | 2022
Article published in Review of Educational Research
LUV U BETTER: FACILITATING RACIAL JUSTICE & HEALING THROUGH RESEARCH-PRACTICE PARTNERSHIPS
Jasahn Larsosa | 2022
Article published in NNERPP’s quarterly magazine NNERPP | Extra
TOWARD A CRITICAL RACE RPP: HOW RACE, POWER AND POSITIONALITY INFORM RESEARCH PRACTICE PARTNERSHIPS
Tiera Tanksley and Cynthia Estrada | 2022
Article published in International Journal of Research & Method in Education
DOING EQUITY WORK WHILE BLACK IN A CULTURALLY WHITE DISTRICT
Shomari Jones and Paul S. Sutton | 2021
Article published in Phi Delta Kappan
RACIAL EQUITY AND RESEARCH PRACTICE PARTNERSHIPS 2.0: A CRITICAL REFLECTION
John B. Diamond | 2021
William T. Grant Foundation reflection post
RESEARCH-PRACTICE PARTNERSHIPS FOR RACIALLY JUST SCHOOL COMMUNITIES
Camille M. Wilson | 2021
William T. Grant Foundation reflection post
THIS AIN’T GONNA WORK FOR ME’: THE ROLE OF THE AFROCENTRIC PRAXIS OF ELDERING IN CREATING MORE EQUITABLE RESEARCH PARTNERSHIPS
Janelle W. Henderson and Tasha Tropp Laman | 2020
Article published in Urban Education
“WHY AM I ALWAYS BEING RESEARCHED?” AN APPLICATION TO RPPS, PART 1
Paula Arce-Trigatti and Nina Spitzley | 2020
Article published in NNERPP’s quarterly magazine NNERPP | Extra
DON’T TALK ABOUT IMPLICIT BIAS WITHOUT TALKING ABOUT STRUCTURAL RACISM
Kathleen Osta and Hugh Vasquez | 2019
National Equity Project article
NEGOTIATING TRUST, POWER, AND CULTURE IN A RESEARCH-PRACTICE PARTNERSHIP
Jill Denner, Steve Bean, Shannon Campe, Jacob Martinez, and David Torres | 2019
Article published in AERA Open
POWER DYNAMICS: THE HIDDEN ELEMENT TO EFFECTIVE MEETINGS
Kelly Bates, Curtis Ogden, and Cynthia Silva Parker | 2018
Blog post by the Interaction Institute for Social Change
VALUE MAPPING: AN ACTIVITY FOR SURFACING POWER DYNAMICS & DIVERSE PERSPECTIVES IN R-P COLLABORATIONS
Jean Ryoo and Molly Shea | 2015
Activity guide produced by Research + Practice Collaboratory
CONTINUUM ON BECOMING A TRANSFORMATIVE ANTI-OPPRESSION ORGANIZATION
Adapted by AORTA | No date recorded
Resource adapted by AORTA from Crossroads Ministries’ “Continuum on Becoming an Anti-Racist Multicultural Organization”
DISMANTLING ANTI-BLACKNESS IN DEMOCRATIC WORKPLACES: A TOOLKIT
AORTA | No date recorded
Toolkit produced by AORTA
IDENTIFYING AN EQUITY CHALLENGE
National Equity Project | No date recorded
Tool produced by National Equity Project
RESOURCES | Suggested Readings on Power in Research Production and Use
CALL TO ACTION: RESTRUCTURING TRADITIONAL RESEARCH CONFERENCES TO PROMOTE DIGNITY-AFFIRMING SPACES
Lindsey Kaiser and Heather Lechner | 2023
Article published in NNERPP’s quarterly magazine NNERPP | Extra
SHARING POWER IN PHILANTHROPIC RELATIONSHIPS TO ENHANCE IMPACT
Chloe Stroman and Lisa Quay | 2023
Brief published by the Student Experience Research Network
WHOSE AGENDA IS IT? NAVIGATING THE POLITICS OF SETTING THE RESEARCH AGENDA IN EDUCATION RESEARCH-PRACTICE PARTNERSHIPS
Joanna L. Meyer, Clare Waterman, George A. Coleman, and Michael J. Strambler | 2023
Article published in Educational Policy
WHOSE AGENDA IS IT? NAVIGATING THE POLITICS OF SETTING THE RESEARCH AGENDA IN EDUCATION RESEARCH-PRACTICE PARTNERSHIPS
Joanna L. Meyer, Clare Waterman, George A. Coleman, and Michael J. Strambler | 2023
Article published in Educational Policy
RESEARCH-PRACTICE PARTNERSHIPS IN PURSUIT OF RACIAL JUSTICE IN SCHOOLS: NAVIGATING A HOSTILE SOCIOPOLITICAL CLIMATE
Adriana Villavicencio, Dana Conlin, and Olga Pagan | 2022
Article published in Educational Policy
“EVERYONE COLLABORATED AND CAME TOGETHER”: THE CIVIC PROMISE (AND PITFALLS) OF YPAR FOR IMMIGRANT-ORIGIN STUDENTS IN AN ERA OF DEPORTATION
Elena Maker Castro, Guadalupe López Hernández, Juliana Karras-Jean Gilles, Alfredo Novoa, The New Generation Class, and Carola Suárez-Orozco | 2022
Article in Cultural Diversity and Ethnic Minority Psychology
HOW TO “QUANTCRIT:” PRACTICES AND QUESTIONS FOR EDUCATION DATA RESEARCHERS AND USERS
Wendy Castillo and David Gillborn | 2022
Annenberg Institute EdWorkingPaper
IS RESPONSIVENESS TO STUDENT VOICE RELATED TO ACADEMIC OUTCOMES? STRENGTHENING THE RATIONALE FOR STUDENT VOICE IN SCHOOL REFORM
Joseph Kahne, Benjamin Bowyer, Jessica Marshall, and Erica Hodgin | 2022
Article in American Journal of Education
“IT’S A MARATHON, NOT A SPRINT”: THE IMPLEMENTATION AND OUTCOMES OF A YEARLONG RACIAL JUSTICE INTERVENTION
Adriana Villavicencio, Sarah Klevan, Dana Conlin, and Kathryn Hill
| 2022
Article in AERA Open
PARTICIPATION IN MULTICULTURAL AWARENESS-RAISING COMMUNITY ACTIONS: POSITIVE EFFECTS ON WELL-BEING AND GROUP EFFICACY
Larraitz N. Zumeta, Magdalena Bobowik, Nekane Basabe, and Anna Wlodarczyk | 2022
Article in Cultural Diversity and Ethnic Minority Psychology
TRANSFORMING THE ROLE OF RPPs IN REMAKING EDUCATIONAL SYSTEMS
Ann M. Ishimaru, Filiberto Barajas-López, Min Sun, Keisha Scarlett, and Eric Anderson | 2022
Article published in Educational Researcher
UNAPOLOGETIC EDUCATIONAL RESEARCH: ADDRESSING ANTI-BLACKNESS, RACISM, AND WHITE SUPREMACY
Penny A. Pasque, Lori D. Patton, Joy Gaston Gayles, Mark Anthony Gooden, Malik S. Henfield, H. Richard Milner IV, April Peters, and D-L Stewart | 2022
Article published in Cultural Studies ↔ Critical Methodologies
DOES YOUR DISTRICT’S WAY OF DECISIONMAKING REINFORCE SYSTEMIC RACISM?
Jennifer Cheatham and John B. Diamond | 2021
EdWeek opinion piece
IDENTIFYING AND TESTING STRATEGIES TO IMPROVE THE USE OF ANTIRACIST RESEARCH EVIDENCE THROUGH CRITICAL RACE LENSES
Fabienne Doucet | 2021
Article in William T. Grant Foundation‘s The Digest
THE ABSENCE OF CULTURALLY APPROPRIATE EVIDENCE CAN PRODUCE OR EXACERBATE INEQUITIES
Rayanne de Sales Lima, Andréa Borghi Moreira Jacinto, and Rodrigo Arthuso Arantes Faria | 2021
Evidence & Policy Blog post
ANTI-RACIST DECOLONIZING FRAMEWORK FOR TALKING ABOUT AND DESCRIBING YOUNG PEOPLE: A GUIDE FOR ORGANIZATIONS, FUNDERS, EDUCATIONAL INSTITUTIONS, AND MEDIA OUTLETS
American Friends Service Committee | 2020
Guide produced by the American Friends Service Committee
ANTI-RACIST EDUCATIONAL LEADERSHIP AND POLICY: ADDRESSING RACISM IN PUBLIC EDUCATION
Sarah Diem and Anjalé D. Welton | 2020
Book
First and last chapter free to view here
A TOOLKIT FOR CENTERING RACIAL EQUITY THROUGHOUT DATA INTEGRATION
Amy Hawn Nelson, Della Jenkins, Sharon Zanti, Matthew Katz, Emily Berkowitz, TC Burnett, and Dennis Culhane | 2020
Toolkit published by Actionable Intelligence for Social Policy (AISP) at the University of Pennsylvania
HOW CENTRAL OFFICE LEADERS INFLUENCE SCHOOL LEADERS’ DECISION-MAKING: UNPACKING POWER DYNAMICS IN TWO SCHOOL-BASED DECISION-MAKING SYSTEMS
Lok-Sze Wong, Cynthia E. Coburn, and Ayah Kamel | 2020
Article in Peabody Journal of Education
REDUCING RACISM IN SCHOOLS: THE PROMISE OF ANTI-RACIST POLICIES
Britney L. Jones | 2020
Center for Education Policy Analysis issue brief
NO SMALL MATTERS: REIMAGINING THE USE OF RESEARCH EVIDENCE FROM A RACIAL JUSTICE PERSPECTIVE
David E. Kirkland | 2019
RETHINKING RACE AND POWER IN DESIGN-BASED RESEARCH: REFLECTIONS FROM THE FIELD
Sepehr Vakil, Maxine McKinney de Royston, Na’ilah Suad Nasir, and Ben
Kirshner | 2016
Article published in Cognition and Instruction