Conceptions and Practices of Equity in Research-Practice Partnerships

Abstract

This framework explores the plurality of ways that research-practice partnerships (RPPs) conceptualize issues of equity, and with what consequences for what gets studied, whose voices are included in inquiry, and what knowledge is foregrounded in partnership activity. We draw on institutional theory and the perspectives of members from diverse partnerships to create a framework on the beliefs and practices of equity in RPPs. In terms of their missions, RPPs’ conceptions of equity ranged from a focus on individualism and standardization, to advancing goals of identity, culture, and belonging and attending to power, justice, and anti-racism. Equity was reflected within processes for working together, varying across coordination, collaboration, or transformation of roles and power dynamics. For RPPs, the framework can help develop a common language and shared meanings. For future research, it can serve as an analytic lens to understand when and how RPPs work in service of educational transformation and change.

Politics at the Boundary: Exploring Politics in Education Research-Practice Partnerships

“…In essence, the definition of equity in RPPs becomes another example of how negotiating identity, values, and priorities within an RPP is an inherently political process. Similar to other literature (e.g., Vetter et al, 2022), Farrell, Singleton et al (2022 share a framework for thinking about what equity in RPPs looks like-both in terms of what RPPs do ("equity-in-mission") and how they do it ("equity-in-process")-to aid in developing common language and to guide future research.…”

“…An RPP can maintain or exacerbate inequitable distribution of power and resources, or it can mitigate inequities through intention. Farrell, Singleton et al (2022) describe how RPPs prioritize equity through their mission and focus on outcomes as well as through the processes and structures that they establish to equitably engage partners and the community. To the extent that RPPs situate themselves with the goal of explicitly addressing disparities or distributional conflicts, or organize themselves structurally to address power dynamics, they may provide a model for tipping the scales toward progress against political challenges.…”

“…Outcome equity refers to equity associated with the impact of a partnership’s work, for example, improving students’ social emotional learning (SEL) outcomes or improving college access supports, among many other examples. (Farrell, Singleton and colleagues, 2022 refer to this as “equity-in-mission.”) Equity in process or structures refers to equity associated with how a partnership engages in its work, such as which voices are present in the collaboration, how decisions are made, and how resources are shared and allocated among the partners. (Farrell, Singleton and colleagues, 2022 refer to this as “equity-in-process.”) Others have broken process/structural equity into further dimensions—such equity in research, equity in practice, and equity in partnership (Sexton et al, 2020).…”

“…(Farrell, Singleton and colleagues, 2022 refer to this as “equity-in-mission.”) Equity in process or structures refers to equity associated with how a partnership engages in its work, such as which voices are present in the collaboration, how decisions are made, and how resources are shared and allocated among the partners. (Farrell, Singleton and colleagues, 2022 refer to this as “equity-in-process.”) Others have broken process/structural equity into further dimensions—such equity in research, equity in practice, and equity in partnership (Sexton et al, 2020). Surrounding these main types of equity highlighted at the center of RPPs, is a figure eight of ongoing cycles consisting of learning and reflection through research, improving practice, and transforming systems.…”

“…Three articles in this special issue focus on how RPPs grapple with addressing issues of equity and transformation. Farrell, Singleton et al (2022) explore equity in RPPs through participants' definitions of equity, ranging from equity being about individualism and achievement to equity as antiracist transformation of power dynamics in educational systems. In essence, the definition of equity in RPPs becomes another example of how negotiating identity, values, and priorities within an RPP is an inherently political process.…”