Community Garden for Advanced Inclusive R&D Report Opportunity Studies 2023

Abstract

Students who are Black and Latino and all students who are experiencing poverty are disproportionately impacted by educational inequity. For every student to emerge as a global leader, educational research and development (R&D) must follow new and boldly transformative practices. Greater transparency for pre-funded research ideas would make funding decisions more equitable, reduce redundant efforts, break down silos, and increase collaboration. Inclusive educational R&D can develop underrepresented leaders, protect their intellectual property, and help them pursue breakthrough ideas, which often emerge from uncommon conversations. When supported by community evaluation, Advanced Inclusive R&D can demonstrate promising levels of quality, craft, and potential impact. We gathered a passionate community of experts who are committed to reshaping education over the next 10 to 20 years. They became the AERDF Community Garden. Using our Advanced Inclusive R&D process, we uncovered research opportunities connected to three focus areas that affect educational inequity: income inequality, sustainable teaching, and student-centered learning. This report explains the process we used to identify fundable initiatives and includes six example Opportunity Studies. Knowledge is powerful. Advanced Inclusive R&D is a call to coordinate research efforts and expand our collective knowledge. We must work collaboratively to support all youth and the future of our nation.