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Quirky Kid and the University of Wollongong showcased their research collaboration on The Best of Friends®, demonstrating how a psychology practice and university research team could work together to strengthen the evidence behind a social and emotional learning program.
The collaboration connected Quirky Kid’s clinical and educational experience with researchers from the University of Wollongong, creating an independent pathway to examine The Best of Friends® and inform its future development.
UOW announced the collaboration in 2017 under the NSW Department of Industry’s TechVouchers program, with Dr Noelene Weatherby-Fell from UOW’s School of Education undertaking research into the program’s efficacy.
Turning practice into research
The Best of Friends® was developed by Quirky Kid to help children build social and emotional skills including friendship, communication, emotional understanding and responsible decision-making.
The partnership gave Quirky Kid an opportunity to place a program developed through psychology practice into an independent university research process, strengthening the organisation’s approach to evidence, evaluation and continuous improvement.
Sharing the collaboration with other innovators
Quirky Kid and UOW later brought the collaboration into an industry research showcase in Sydney. The program included Dr Kimberley O’Brien discussing innovation in social and emotional learning, UOW Industry Research Manager Zahra Shahbazian discussing university collaboration, and Leonardo Rocker discussing how small organisations can use innovation programs to extend their research and development capacity.
The event also highlighted Quirky Kid’s involvement with UOW initiatives including TechVouchers and the iAccelerate business incubator.
Research supporting wider program development
UOW later reported that its work with Quirky Kid had independently evaluated The Best of Friends® and supported the organisation’s plans to expand the program’s use.
Read the University of Wollongong’s report on the research outcomes.
The collaboration remains an important milestone in Quirky Kid’s development as an organisation combining child psychology practice, educational publishing and formal research partnerships.
