Action research is commonly used in the late stage of English teacher education programs to build the professional capabilities of pre-service teachers, providing an important means of transforming pedagogical theory into classroom practice.

However, how effective is action research proving as a means of bridging the divide between university and school-based learning? In the seminar, the implications of a recent study on the experiences of Chilean students with action research will be discussed. These outcomes suggest the need for new thinking on how students engage with action research, and how this can more effectively strengthen school-university partnerships.  
The seminar will discuss some potential new approaches to building teacher research skills, and how the opportunities offered by research can be better accommodated and harnessed by schools.