Coalition for Evidence Based Education Andrew Morris, UK IEE conference York 22 nd March 2013

Background  bottom-up initiative from individuals  a structure to link people working on evidence-use in multiple organisations  builds on preceding initiatives – NERF, SFRE  emphasis on action rather than debate  focus on use of evidence, not research per se  open to all

Building on the past NERF Final Report Working Paper number 3.1

Initial steps IEE offered secretariat  some time of Partnerships Manager  support for steering group  admin, website, publicity Steering group set up Year 1: consultation events  researchers, practitioners, policymakers  position paper  two key projects –for practitioners –for the public via the media

Setting up (year 2) Position paper  a cyclical “evidence-using system”  methods to be “fit for purpose”

Setting up (year 2) Education Media Centre  interested people formed Development Group  inspiration of Science Media Centre  early gift from C&G for feasibility study Evidence for the Frontline  Development Group of interested people  emphasis on practitioners  inspiration of Yorkshire Informed Practice Initiative

Communications Events  coordinated and guided by CEBE  run by organisations in the network  e.g. SRU, NET, ILRC... on themes such as effective implementation boundaries: policy, practice, research evidence for practice – Newsletter  updates from CEBE and participating orgs Website  background info and updates  MS

Education Media Centre Vision (year 1)  better outputs from media orgs through good evidence  a brokerage centre connecting media people to researchers  visibly independent of all potential interests Development (year 2)  specification and business plan drawn up  high profile patrons recruited  proposal presented to dozens of potential funders State of play (year 3)  major funding from Esmee Fairbairn  funds from dozens of others: near year 1 target (190K)  initial co-directors: Sue Littlemore, Jonathan Sharples TT

Science Media Centre

Education Media Centre Planned operations  preparing for predicted events (e.g. “A” level results)  responding to breaking news  matching journalists to specialist researchers  running briefing events Discussion points  sustaining funding over the long term  engaging and retaining interest of media professionals  dealing with missing or conflicting evidence

Evidence for the Frontline Vision (year 1)  access to a specialists to help with using evidence  linkage to sources of sound, useful evidence for practice  networking between practitioners making use of evidence Development (year 2)  development Group formed, focussed on practice  encouragement from researchers  specification of a prototype development project State of play (year 3)  approaches made to small number of potential funders  networks of schools interested in pilot  lead school will coordinate with IEE in support  potential funders showing interest

E4F concept

Evidence for the Frontline Planned operations  initial enquiries from schools discussed and refined  match made with known research specialists  help provided to navigate internet evidence sources  encouragement given to contact peers via network Discussion points  what will be the level of “traffic” from schools/colleges?  will a sufficient range of research specialists join in?  will the demand on researchers be manageable?  will dialogue with researchers make a difference  will any difference impact on student outcomes?

Engaging with policy  participating in policy discussions – with ministers, shadow front bench, parliament  contributing to evidence-based movement – UK Alliance for Useful Knowledge – Europe-wide EIPPEE evidence project from IoE – discussions with funding bodies

The future  coping with loss of intermediary bodies – engaging with local institutions and networks  surviving the economic climate – creating self-supporting businesses  publicising and communicating about CEBE  stimulating further collaborative activity  creating a base for international collaboration

The purpose is To overcome this....

With a bit more....

For the sake of....

Further information Contact : Andrew Morris (chair CEBE steering group) website:

What do you think? Value of collaborative network : 1.Is collaboration important compared to simpler two party arrangements? 2.Is it too weak to compete with the big pressures CEBE future 1.How could more people get involved (no budget) 2.What other partners ought to be engaged? 3.How could its capacity be increased?