Undertaking practitioner research: choices and considerations for school leaders

At some point in a school leader’s career, the prospect of undertaking some academic research or practitioner enquiry will appear on the horizon. Whether this research possibility is in response to an academic qualification or part of a collaborative networking opportunity, leading or participating in research activity is both exciting and challenging. Undertaking practitioner research offers participants a new set of skills and capabilities accompanied by access to networks, conferences and maybe even a graduation. For busy school leaders, however, the initial question must be why spend time on research, at all?