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This study examines researcher-practitioner collaborations in educational research, using Cultural-Historical Activity Theory (CHAT) to analyze interactions between STEM coaches and researchers. It explores a two-day workshop focused on practitioner-identified challenges. The research highlighted the need to shift from researcher-centric approaches to balanced, collaborative methods. This study provides insights for developing bidirectional learning models that center practitioners' perspectives, aiming to bridge the gap between research and educational practice through more equitable and transformative partnerships.
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This content will become publicly available on June 10, 2026
“It Takes Two to Tango”: Power Dynamics in Researcher-Coach Collaborations
Effective researcher-coach relationships need reciprocal learning, which allows practitioners to share valuable contextual knowledge while researchers share evidence-based ideas. Nevertheless, these collaborations encounter obstacles due to power imbalances, which frequently establish researchers as authorities and reduce the role of practitioners as co-creators. Therefore, this study examines power dynamics in researcher-coach partnerships within educational contexts, emphasizing equitable collaboration strategies. Using Cultural-Historical Activity Theory (CHAT) as a framework, this study analyzes video data from a writing intensive to explore interactions between two participants, Ashley and Russell. Findings reveal that initial tensions foster deeper understanding through negotiated power exchanges. The study underscores that openness, mutual trust, and reflective dialogue are essential for sustainable partnerships, advancing the understanding of power dynamics in researcher-coach collaborations.
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- PAR ID:
- 10609095
- Publisher / Repository:
- Repository of the International Society of Learning Sciences
- Date Published:
- Page Range / eLocation ID:
- 1589 to 1593
- Format(s):
- Medium: X
- Sponsoring Org:
- National Science Foundation
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