Creating a research culture within one EP service: Practitioner reflections on using developmental work research

Abstract

Aim(s)The aim of this paper is to provide a reflective account of using Cultural Historical Activity Theory (CHAT) and Developmental Work Research (DWR) when exploring the research culture of one EP service in Scotland.Melhod/RalionalePrevious research completed within the Educational Psychology Service (EPS) recommended to explore in more detail how Educational Psychologist’s (EPs) were engaging with research. Thus, three DWR workshops based on the principles of CHAT and the cycle of expansive learning (Engeström, 2015) acted as in intervention to achieve this. Each of these workshops lasted a half day and created a discourse around the role of research in our service delivery.FindingsKey insights from using DWR as a means of furthering organisational change are presented. These include the unique benefits that CHAT and DWR bring to complex systems as opposed to other approaches and how collective learning during the workshops led to a concrete outcome for the EPS. I will argue for the benefits of using DWR to reconceptualise persistent tensions within the profession whilst reflecting on the difficulties of applying these methodologies to practice.LimitationsColleagues provided positive feedback from the process but there were little in-built methods of evaluation during the workshops. Furthermore, this was my first attempt at utilising DWR to elicit change and so the main stages of DWR were not fully explored.ConclusionDWR offers a framework to reconceptualise persistent tensions within organisations. Its collaborative approach, grounded in psychology, allows for co-production of goals and for articulation of the EP role with regards to research.