New grant awarded: Accelerating Research Translation in the Science of Learning in Education Centre (SoLEC): A Reference Model to Optimize Research Impact in NIE

In August 2023, Dr Astrid Schmied and her team were awarded an NTU EdeX Faculty Learning Community grant for the project “Accelerating Research Translation in the Science of Learning in Education Centre (SoLEC): A Reference Model to Optimize Research Impact in NIE”. The project team includes the principal facilitator Dr Astrid Schmied, co-facilitator Ms Lorraine Ow, and members Assoc Prof Teh Kah Chan, Dr Chua Puay Huat, Dr Uma Natarajan, Dr Aishah Abdul Rahman, Mr Orhun Timurcan Ozcelik, Mr Shyam Anand Singh, Ms Radiah Maria Belak. We are interested in the translation of research evidence into practice and policy, specifically on teaching practice and education policy, to serve the needs of NIE/NTU and MOE. We will do so by deepening our understanding in this area and developing a research translation theoretical framework and model in the context of the SoLEC at NIE. 

Summary of the project: The SoLEC seeks to connect research, practice, and policy to optimize successful human learning. Envisioned as a translational research facility, it has great promise to empirically inform on the science of learning (SoL) and related discipline (Educational Neuroscience, EN) to the Singapore education system and broader international context. However, at present, the SoLEC lacks a sustainable, cost-effective theoretical framework, model, and a programmatic plan to successfully execute this goal and to accelerate the process. This is critical to inform the local and international community on evidence-based findings in a timely manner. This application brings together a multidisciplinary team to fill this gap. Throughout several literature reviews and ideation sessions, we will develop a theoretical framework and model of research translation in SoL, articulate a set of strategies to accelerate research translation, and delineate measures and indicators to evaluate the constructed framework and model. The outcomes include a theoretical framework and model to accelerate research translation in SoL that can be empirically tested in the SoLEC in the future. By positioning the SoLEC as a reference model to optimize research impact in NIE, we hope to inspire other facilities in NIE/NTU to pursue similar initiatives.