The Evidence Web of Education (EWE) is a new OECD project that helps education systems become more evidence-informed. Building on insights from the Strengthening the Impact of Education Research project, EWE supports the work of knowledge intermediaries and improves coordination across them. In its development phase, the project is creating a structured evidence portal, a bank of research-based tools, and a peer learning programme. Together, these efforts aim to make the thoughtful and systematic use of research a reality in education policy and practice.
Strengthening the Impact of Education Research
Across the OECD, enormous investment and effort has aimed to reinforce the quality, production and use of education research in policy and practice. Despite this, strengthening the impact of research in education policy making and practice remains a challenge for many systems.
Evidence Web for Education (EWE)
About
The Strengthening the Impact of Education Research project supported countries in understanding how to use education research in policy and practice, systematically and at scale.
The project explored the following questions:
- What factors – institutions, structures, resources, characteristics, processes and strategies – facilitate or hinder the impact and systematic use of education research in policy and practice?
- How can we assess and safeguard the quality of education research?
- How can we effectively engage actors in a coordinated production and use of education research?
Objective
The project supported countries in developing strategies and mechanisms that facilitate the use of education research in policy and practice. It did this by:
- Synthesising cutting-edge research on knowledge mobilisation
- Collecting and analysing data on existing mechanisms and barriers related to facilitating the use of research.
- Bringing together stakeholders and experts to share and reflect on developments and practices from different systems and sectors.
- Offering peer learning activities on different aspects of research use and mobilisation.
Research and Analysis
The project conducted a policy survey in 2021 to map:
- Actors, mechanisms and relationships that facilitate research use in policy making and practice
- Barriers and challenges in terms of mindset and culture of research use, resources, skills and capacity as well as learning opportunities
- Aspects of research production: accessibility, relevance, involvement of different actors, incentives and funding.
Overall, 37 systems representing 29 countries have responded to the survey, reflecting education ministries’ perspectives on research production and use. See the main findings in the ‘’Who Cares about Using Education Research in Policy and Practice?’’ and the “Who Really Cares about Using Education Research in Policy and Practice?” reports.
In 2023, the project conducted a survey that collected data from a range of organisations playing a role in facilitating research use in policy and practice in education (including brokerage agencies, initial teacher education institutions, inspectorates, consultancies, etc.). The survey aimed to characterise knowledge mobilisation activities across different organisations and learn about their effectiveness and impact.
The survey collected 288 responses from organisations in 35 countries. Data analysis is underway.
Applied work with Stakeholders
The project actively built partnerships with key players in the field of research mobilisation, including academics and experts, “what works” centres and other organisations such as foundations, networks and partnerships, to share knowledge and achieve common objectives and research goals.
Engagement with countries and key actors was supported by a series of events, such as learning seminars, webinars and expert meetings, as well as other communication platforms.
In 2022 and 2023, the project conducted three learning seminars, hosted by the Netherlands, Belgium (Flemish community) and Norway, with the participation of Denmark, England, Finland, Ireland and Sweden. A set of case studies of various mechanisms for research use in policy making were published drawing on the seminar in a publication entitled “Yes Minister, Yes Evidence: Structures and skills for better evidence use in education policy”.
Blogs
- How to be a Marco Polo of education research, policy and practice, 19 September 2023
- Even The Beatles needed an Intermediary, 13 January 2023
Webinars
Contacts
Meet the team
- Nóra Révai Project Manager, Analyst
- Jordan Hill Analyst
- Melissa Mouthaan Analyst
- José Manuel Torres Analyst
- Aurelija Masiulytė Project Assistant
For queries or more information, please contact the team: EDResearch@oecd.org