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Part of Education planning and reporting

Alberta Research Network

This coalition works to improve the way research evidence is collected, accessed and used across the K-12 education system.

Overview

The Alberta Research Network (ARN) is coordinated by the Research and Policy Branch and enables Alberta Education to support the research needs of Alberta’s education system in a collaborative manner. It is a coalition of educators, researchers and policymakers who work to improve the way research evidence is collected, accessed and used across the Early Childhood Services to Grade 12 education system.

The network provides opportunities and supports for education partners to collaborate on research relevant to Alberta’s education system, helping educators identify research trends and gaps, and solutions to complex education issues.

How to join the Alberta Research Network

Organizations are eligible to join the Alberta Research Network if they meet the following criteria:

  • are knowledgeable about, and involved in the coordination of, research activities taking place within their organizations
  • are able and willing to share information from Alberta Research Network-hosted events with their colleagues to inform their practices and to build the research capacity of their organizations
  • are willing to provide constructive feedback for the continuous improvement and sustainability of the Alberta Research Network

Eligible organizations can nominate a representative to the Alberta Research Network by emailing [email protected]

This email enquiry should come from senior leadership, such as a superintendent or Dean of Education, and include the following information:

  • name
  • position
  • organization
  • contact email

Research Partnerships Program

The Research Partnerships Program (RPP) facilitates opportunities for research connections between post-secondary research institutions and school authorities. This program is intended to support collaborative research projects that focus on research questions most relevant to Alberta’s education system.

Research Partnerships Program call for proposals

Research plays a vital role in ensuring that policies and practices in the education system are evidence-based. Alberta Education is providing a funding opportunity to support research in key areas.

Funds provided by the program will support research priorities that have the potential to impact the Early Childhood Services to Grade 12 education system and improve outcomes for students.

To date, 7 cohorts of studies have been funded through this research grant program.

Research priorities for each cohort are determined in advance of the call for proposals and seek to address the evolving needs of students in Alberta.

An eighth call for proposals is now open and will close on January 10, 2025 at 4:30pm.

The research priorities for the current call are listed below.

Research priorities

  1. Relationship building between Indigenous communities and schools to improve educational outcomes for First Nations, Métis, and Inuit students.
  2. Learning supports to address diverse and complex classroom needs.
  3. Social-emotional wellness of students and teachers.
  4. Access to pathways into post-secondary education and the workforce.
  5. Effective strategies for the recruitment and retention of qualified teachers, teacher leaders, and education support staff.
  6. Implementation supports and effective assessments for the development of foundational skills in literacy and numeracy.
  7. Approaches to the use of artificial intelligence (AI) in the school system.

Call for proposals application process

For information about the call for proposals application process refer to the following documents:

To obtain an application form or inquire further about the call for proposals, contact the Research and Policy Branch by email at [email protected].

Past Research Partnerships Program grant cohorts

Learn more about the research priorities of each past cohort in this program.

  • Cohort 1 priorities (2017)

    • implementing and evaluating new programs to improve student learning
    • implementing and evaluating inclusive learning environments
    • improving outcomes for Indigenous students

  • Cohort 2 priorities (2018)

    • implementing Professional Practice Standards for teachers and leaders
    • Indigenous education
    • supporting diversity

  • Cohort 3 priorities (2019)

    • social-emotional learning and wellness
    • equity in education
    • early learning
    • interdisciplinary research

  • Cohort 4 priorities (2021)

    • learning environments
    • vulnerable populations and access
    • student and teacher wellness
    • learnings from school re-entry

  • Cohort 5 priorities (2022)

    • student and teacher wellness
    • learning gaps
    • technology-enhanced learning
    • secondary data analysis of Alberta results in international and pan-Canadian studies 

  • Cohort 6 priorities (2023)

    • learning gaps primarily at higher grades
    • social-emotional wellness
    • learning environments
    • equity
    • secondary data analysis of Alberta results in International and pan-Canadian Studies

  • Cohort 7 priorities (2024)

    • relationship building between Indigenous communities and schools
    • social-emotional wellness of students and teachers
    • access to pathways into post-secondary and the workforce
    • approaches to the use of artificial intelligence (AI) in the school system

Contact

Connect with Alberta Education's Research and Policy Branch for more information about the Alberta Research Network or the Research Partnerships Program:

Email: [email protected]