Knowledge Exchange

Research in educational science is conducted across a broad spectrum of education-related topics, with the resulting knowledge used in close collaboration with practitioners to provide solutions that can contribute to and effect change. The faculty’s academics contribute to knowledge transfer and educational innovations through long-term cooperation projects and other diverse projects with practitioners as well as others from society, politics, culture, and business. “Knowledge exchange” often refers to a joint (research) process connecting researchers and practitioners with benefit to all. Knowledge exchange also occurs via continuing education, development of testing and diagnostic instruments, evaluations, consultations, materials, workshops, symposia, handouts, projects, expert opinions, media work, and a variety of other formats.

The most important areas for knowledge exchange are:

• knowledge transfer for educational professionals and teachers through continuing education, dialogue, and practice-oriented publications
• academic advising and guidance to support the further development of institutions (educational and other institutions, schools, associations, etc.)
• academic advising and guidance for educational policymakers and structures (educational administration, political decision makers, municipal authorities, professional associations, working groups, etc.)
• culture and society (projects with cultural institutions as well as science communication for the general public through projects, lectures, and digital formats)

Knowledge exchange and close cooperation with practitioners are also integrated into teaching. This approach takes the form of research workshops, seminars conducted in collaboration with practitioners, and other projects that combine teaching with research. The close link between academic study and practical training in all degree programs is an essential part of our “knowledge exchange across minds” approach, where knowledge is exchanged by and between students.

We continuously develop knowledge exchange formats and networks.

Education fulfills a central role in society. The Faculty of Education has a responsibility to communicate with education practitioners about educational practice, knowledge, and solutions.

There are 3 main criteria for knowledge exchange activities at the Faculty of Education:

• They are research-based.
• They foster networking with members of society and involve a kind of “translation” and re-contextualization.
• They are socially relevant and aim to shape a sustainable future.

We see knowledge exchange as bi-directional, meaning a practice of mutual exchange and “translation” between researchers and practitioners. The role of educational science is to provide current research findings and academic expertise; to look at questions arising in practice; and to cooperate with practitioners when it comes to innovation and transformation. Practitioners need to critically assess academic knowledge, compare it to their own spheres of activity and perspectives, and implement it concretely. “Practice” refers to the work being done by practitioners and institutions in educational policy, educational administration, and educational practice (from early childhood education and advanced schooling to nonscholastic fields, vocational, adult, and higher education). It also includes the work of organizations that act as go-betweens between researchers and those working in other spheres of activity, such as civic and cultural fields.

Scientific findings are not simply “transferred” or “applied.” They are reflected upon in a communicative process, adapted, put into different contexts, transformed, and allowed to unfold according to the practical and logical demands of the given context. Conversely, practical needs must be translated for scientific purposes and integrated into research. Thus, communication and cooperation are vital to the success of knowledge exchange activities, both in education practice and in research and teaching.

Many educational scientists spend extended periods of time on research projects in close cooperation with practitioners. These projects lead to varied and developing knowledge exchange activities. Transfer must be planned and implemented with a long-term view: changes in institutional structures, curriculum content, interactions in education contexts, education systems, attitudes, and discourses are all long-term processes that take place in complex conditions. New social challenges require comprehensive and nuanced responses and answers. This includes new research topics and needs. Lasting relationships with cooperation partners and civic parties and networks make it possible for research to contribute in the long term to society at large.

Thanks to multiple partnerships that have been in place for many years, regional knowledge exchange in educational science is as firmly established as the interregional activities of the discipline. We maintain partnerships with many professionals from Hamburg’s schools (primary schools, secondary schools, and vocational schools), youth work institutions, social workers, cultural institutions, adult education facilities in Hamburg, childcare centers, foundations and associations, administrative organs, and advisory services. Projects that foster the skills of school students are an integral part of our core activities, and some of them are permanent fixtures of the participating institutions.

The following diagram depicts knowledge exchange activities in educational science, including their topics, target groups, and formats (provisional systematization):

In 2019, the Faculty of Education initiated an intensive process to raise awareness of its existing knowledge exchange activities, sharpen its transfer profile, and improve its efforts in this field. This involved the following activities:

• Knowledge exchange workshop 1 (December 2019)
• Expansion of the systematic cooperation with the State Institute of Teacher Training and School Development (LI)
• Knowledge exchange workshop 2 (May 2020)
• Increased submission of applications to knowledge-exchange funding programs (ExStra funds, Call4Transfer, Wirkung hoch 100)
• Workshop on science communication / knowledge exchange for doctoral and postdoctoral researchers at the faculty (August 2020)
• Knowledge exchange workshop 3 with Prof. Dr. Christiane Spiel (University of Vienna) and Prof. Dr. Wolfgang Beywl (University of Applied Sciences and Arts Northwestern Switzerland) (October 2020)
• Foundation of an ad hoc working group on knowledge exchange at the faculty (January 2021)
• Cooperative implementation of the first LI Forum Dialogue with Science (May 2021)
• Survey of knowledge exchange activities (June 2021)
• Launch of the knowledge exchange website (August 2021)
• Second LI Forum Dialogue with Science in October 2021
• Launch of the research podcast Bildungsschnack in January 2022
• Launch of an internal faculty material and networking platform for knowledge exchange research (March 2022)
• Third LI Forum Dialogue with Science in May 2022
• Faculty-wide workshop to develop a knowledge exchange mission statement (October 2022)
• Launch of the Praxis-N[EW]sletter with research and knowledge exchange topics for educational practitioners and administrators (October 2022)
• Fourth LI Forum Dialogue with Science in November 2022
• Fifth LI Forum Dialogue with Science in April 2023
• Publication of the knowledge exchange mission statement (May 2023)
• Survey of knowledge exchange activities (indicators) in Fall 2024
• Founding of of the Faculty of Education’s Knowledge Exchange Office in December 2024

Contact us if you have any questions about our existing knowledge exchange activities or are interested in cooperation.

Contact the Knowledge Exchange Office for the Faculty of Education(tewi.ew"AT"uni-hamburg.de)