By: Katie Philp
For this first blog post in my role as director of the Education Knowledge Broker Network, I am writing on the heels of a haphazard and hasty dismantling of core educational institutions and resources, many of which were vital to efforts to mobilize evidence for impact. Federal budget cuts and withholdings are negatively impacting the work of educators, researchers, and policymakers across the entire education system. Sadly, it is ultimately learners in classrooms all across the country that will be harmed. In spite of the challenges ahead of us, these recent events affirm the need for skilled knowledge brokers, perhaps now more than ever.
Recent surveys demonstrate that educational research and the use of evidence to inform policy and practice is widely supported across the political spectrum. Knowledge brokers serve as important intermediaries to connect disparate elements of our systems, playing a role that directly addresses common concerns about siloes, access to evidence, and evidenced-informed decisions. Our team at the Education Knowledge Broker Network remains committed to our mission, focused on catalyzing the field of knowledge brokering and building a community by and for knowledge brokers. We are also unwavering in our goal to address long standing issues of social justice and equity in education, particularly as recent policy changes are likely to exacerbate disparities rather than close them.
It is with this sense of hope and resolve that we continue to build a thriving professional community for knowledge brokers working to bridge research, policy, and practice. Here are a few ways we are working to address the challenges of the moment while still keeping an eye towards the long term and what is possible for the field of education knowledge brokering:
- Leverage the power of networks. Many of us know the power of social connection for both personal and professional support, especially through challenging times. That’s why we are launching KB Connections, a space for those looking for or exploring careers in knowledge brokering. In an era of information overload and rampant misinformation, knowledge brokers serve as trusted resources to parse fact from fiction, critically assess a body of evidence, support appropriate application of evidence to practice, and facilitate the exchange of knowledge among key interest-holders. KB Connections is an opportunity to refine your identity as a broker and develop strategies that highlight your superpowers to potential employers. We aim to provide a supportive community where you can both learn and share your knowledge with others experiencing career transitions.
- Connect content and context expertise. Knowledge brokering, at its best, is a bi-directional process that merges deep understanding of educational research with the lived experiences of educators and the students they serve. Particularly for historically marginalized communities, context expertise informs strong research questions and designs that better support implementation and tailored interventions. Knowledge brokers often serve as intermediaries between content and context experts, a role that requires deep expertise and interpersonal skills. We aim to provide learning opportunities featuring both content and context experts, and support the unique learning and professional development needs of brokers working with such teams. We are inviting proposals from diverse groups to share their content and context expertise with our network participants through a variety of virtual and asynchronous formats, creating spaces for collaboration and skill building for brokers working across the education sector.
- Develop identities. With growing interest in the work of brokering, we aim to connect experienced and novice and would-be knowledge brokers through learning and networking events. Yet we recognize that many working in education are still new to the terms and concepts of knowledge brokering. We are developing tools and resources that highlight the diversity of roles and positions across the education landscape where you might find knowledge brokers. For example, our “Are you a Knowledge Broker?” quiz may help you identify aspects of your work that are aligned with the practices of knowledge brokers. Our goal is that more and more of us will begin to see ourselves and identify as education knowledge brokers. As our programs and events return in the fall, I hope you’ll take advantage of the many interactive opportunities we offer to engage with fellow knowledge brokers, share your experiences, and help us build strong identities.
There is no doubt that the path forward is uncertain. But this is what I do know: knowledge brokers will continue to play a key role in mobilizing evidence; in combating misinformation; in uplifting the voices of students, educators, and parents; and in creating classrooms where every student can learn. We are eager to partner with those committed to bridging education research, policy, and practice. Whether you are new to knowledge brokering or have long considered yourself one, we are here to provide a space for learning, growth, and collaboration.
Please make sure you receive our newsletter and find us on social media channels as we announce exciting new events and initiatives in the coming months, including the launch of our new membership program! Connect with me on LinkedIn or reach out to us at edknowledgebrokers@udel.edu. Remember- we are building a network designed to meet both this moment and the evolving needs of knowledge brokers. I welcome your partnership, ideas, and participation.