Challenging issues like chronic absence, teacher shortages, and disparities in student achievement demand more than isolated solutions—they require true collaboration across the education community.
In this archived webinar, WestEd experts highlighted the launch of WestEd’s Research–Practice Partnership (RPP) Network and explored how long-term RPPs enable interest holders to cocreate evidence-based responses to real-world challenges. Hear examples of how WestEd partners with districts and education agencies to codevelop and adapt evidence-based strategies that directly reflect each community’s unique strengths and priorities.
Learn how collaborative, context-sensitive RPPs are uniquely suited to address the specific needs and interests of schools and districts. Our speakers share how leaders and education agencies can connect with the RPP Network around their specific priorities, empowering them to build partnerships that bridge research, policy, and practice—ensuring that voices from every corner of the education community help shape meaningful solutions.
Featured Speakers
Lenay Dunn
Over her 20 years of experience in education research, Dunn has developed expertise in mixed-methods research, program evaluation, policy implementation, technical assistance, and research use. As a senior research director at WestEd, she fosters knowledge exchange and evidence use with education partners to help them make decisions, guide implementation, and improve opportunities and outcomes. Dunn entered the education field as a teacher and spent several years leading school- and university-based programs focused on ensuring that students have access to opportunities and supports to succeed.
Alicia Okpareke
Drawing on her experience in research, teaching, and technical assistance, Okpareke serves as a senior research associate at WestEd. In this role, she partners with state and local education agencies and community organizations to advance work focused on educator pathways, teacher retention, literacy, and special education systems improvement. Previously, Okpareke was an elementary and middle school teacher, data coordinator, and associate professor.
Jon Dolle
Dolle is a national expert in quality improvement methodology and its application to educational systems. As Director of the Improvement Science Team, Dolle helps leaders apply quality improvement principles and methods to create just and equitable education systems.
Laia Tiderman
Tiderman is an expert on data governance, privacy, and contractual safeguards focusing on efforts that democratize data across multiple sectors. As the Associate Director for the Data Integration Support Center (DISC), Tiderman develops solutions with states to support the maturity and modernization of integrated data systems. Tiderman leads the development of DISC tools and resources to support public agencies in their integrated data system modernization
