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Quirky Kid Principal Child Psychologist Dr Kimberley O’Brien attended the 2024 Research-Invested Schools National Conference in Sydney, joining school-based research leaders exploring how research can inform education, innovation and professional practice.
The third annual conference was held on 1 and 2 August 2024 across Pymble Ladies’ College, Barker College and The Scots College.
The official conference program brought together research leads from schools around Australia to build connections, share practice and examine emerging research trends.
Research happening within schools
The Research-Invested Schools network focuses on schools that do more than consume external research. Participating schools are developing internal research capability, collaborating with universities and creating opportunities for teachers and school leaders to undertake inquiry and contribute new knowledge.
Sessions across the 2024 conference addressed school-university partnerships, research translation, measuring impact, research skills and the practical work of building research cultures within schools.
Connecting psychology, education and evidence
For Dr O’Brien, the conference aligned with a long-standing interest in the relationship between psychology research and everyday practice in schools.
Quirky Kid’s own development has included doctoral research, school-based social and emotional learning programs, university collaboration and independent evaluation of programs such as The Best of Friends®.
Attending the conference provided an opportunity to learn how Australian schools are setting research priorities, developing partnerships and using evidence to guide improvement.
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Part of Quirky Kid’s research pathway
Quirky Kid has increasingly combined clinical experience with external research and evaluation. Its collaboration with the University of Wollongong, for example, created an independent evaluation pathway for The Best of Friends®.
Read about the University of Wollongong evaluation of The Best of Friends®.
The 2024 conference is best understood as professional and research engagement rather than a formal Quirky Kid partnership or presentation. Its value was in connecting with a growing Australian network focused on making research a more active part of school practice.
