Challenges of Developing and Sustaining a Research Partnership for Work Integrated Learning

Challenges of Developing and Sustaining a Research Partnership for Work Integrated Learning
Back in 2007 at WACE in Singapore, Zegwaard reported that in 1997 research into Work Integrated Learning (WIL) had been ‘limited, uncertain and sparse’. Things had improved slightly in 2004 where Bartkus and Stull said ‘What has been published is good’. Things have moved on in recent years with the growth of a much larger WIL research community. Much of this has been supported by WACE members who have organised research events around world conferences and symposia, and also with the re-invigoration of two specialist journals. Yet in many ways WIL is still an emerging research field.
This paper will explore some of the practicalities of developing and sustaining a research partnership for WIL. The author will discuss getting started in research, building knowledge in the field and developing resources for WIL. At a local level, difficulties faced by researchers include managing projects alongside busy ‘day jobs’ and maintaining continuity as team members change. At a global level, the most significant challenge is ensuring a partnership approach by developing working relationships across international boundaries.
Consideration will be given to how to set up a research team, and to the challenges of working across disciplines as Deborah Peach et al (2011) explore further in their article on boundary spanning. The paper will also explore issues of sustainability, including funding models – in particular, the continual search for financial resources to sustain ongoing research. The author will conclude with reflections on issues of team and interdisciplinary working.

Keywords:
WIL Research Partnerships Funding Resources