1. The evolution of the Learning and Skills Research Network
20 years of fostering the interplay of research evidence between policy makers, administrators, sector leaders and other practitioners. Now Looking to the Future.
BELMAS 2018

2. Aims
To outline the key features and values of LSRN that have underpinned its sustainability
To highlight the next steps for the network
To briefly explore key theoretical concepts.

3. Context The Learning and Skills Sector in England
The Positioning of Research Evidence in the Sector
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4. Lsrn: active for over two decades
LSRN Purposes and Values
The purpose of the network is to help people, in going about their professional practice, engage with research and development.
Demonstrate the value of research and development
Help build the capacity of the sector
Exploring ways of increasing the influence of findings
Over the same period there has been a rapid churn in and focus from UK government and other agencies linking policy makers and practitioners.
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5. Central role of convenors and steering group
Living the values of the LSRN: filling the gap of a formal constitution
Authenticity – leadership roles in the ‘Further Education Sector’
Strong reputation and empathy with all actors: policy makers, sector leaders, practitioners
Alert to threats and tensions in the contemporary learning and skills policy landscape
The challenge of ‘volunteerism’: ‘always on the brink’.
Central role of convenors and steering group

6. Success factors for sustainability (1)
Regionally based: wide geographical spread in England.
Inclusive approach: embraces wide range of provider types covering the whole of the learning and skills sector
Acknowledges positioning of policy makers and practitioners
Effective communications linked to identity formation (Vigotsky)

7. Success factors for sustainability (2)
Highly responsive to ‘threats’ to the research agenda
Ownership enhanced by volunteerism
Some sponsorship (e.g. venues etc) but independent
Strong focus on ‘impact’ that goes beyond disseminating research findings
Emphasis on taking action and altering thinking
Accessing research evidence and its application
Success factors for sustainability (2)

8. Looking to the future: network of networks
Emerging strategy builds out from LSRN
Incremental approach
The importance of facilitation continuing to be a priority
Survey undertaken with LSRN members
Creation of task group
Engaging with key stakeholders and policy makers
Looking to the future: network of networks

9. Networking the networks
Strong social media focus
Enhanced communications through newsletters and ‘spotlights’ –stories and case studies
‘Research Meets’ stimulated by NEU across England.
Separate website
Emerging vision: stronger representation of research capacity in the Learning and Skills sector.
Networking the networks

10. Knowledge ‘demand’, ‘supply’ and ownership
Sense making and communications
Capacity building
Broader than use of research findings: other forms of knowledge, skills necessary to mobilise findings
Credibility in multiple communities
Knowledge brokerage as a collective endeavour
Coproduction and contextualisation
Multilevel models: Macro …… Micro
Context, Input, Process and Output
Theoretical Context: Knowledge brokerage (Kislov et al 2017, VANHOOF & MAHIEU 2013)

11. Explores relationships between different players
Influence of ‘significant others’
Changed importance of proximity with the emergence of virtual networks
Informality against formal professional development and tight framing of networks
Empowerment and engagement
Theoretical Context: the potential of Social Network analysis (Scott and Carrington 2011)

12. Dr Andrew Morris: a.j.morris@ucl.ac.uk
DISCUSSION
DOES THIS POSITIONING OF RESEARCH NETWORKS FEEL APPROPRIATE FOR SUSTAINABILITY?
Contacts
Dr Andrew Morris:
Dr Colin Forrest: