b'EDUCATION RESEARCHWEAVING KNOWLEDGE INTO ACTIONBy Stephanie How Indspire is transforming education research Cunningham-ReimannO ver the past five years,a shared purpose: to advanceaspirations of Indigenous learners Indspires ResearchIndigenous-led, student-centredand ensuring those realities guide & Impact (R&I) Teamresearch that informs policy,national conversations. has gone through a remarkabledrives systemic change, and journey, growing from a small,amplifies Indigenous voices in post- We recognize that education systems emerging initiative into one ofsecondary education.in this country were not designed the key engines behind Indspireswith Indigenous worldviews in national leadership in IndigenousThis progress didnt happenmind. They are rooted in colonial education research. overnight; it was built on the hardstructures and Western approaches work and vision of those who cameto knowledge. Our role is to What started as the Researchbefore us. The earlier versionscentre Indigenous methodologies, Knowledge Nest Program, whichof the Research Nest and theuphold relational accountability, created space for emergingResearch & Impact Unit paved theand advance self-determined data Indigenous researchers to learnway for what we have today. Wegovernance, helping to reframe how and lead, has evolved into a fullycontinue to build on that founda- education research is done, who established department that nowtion with gratitude and pride.leads it, and who benefits from it. shapes Indspires research strategy,By doing so, were helping ensure data intelligence, evaluation andWHY RESEARCH MATTERS knowledge mobilization work.Across Canada, there are stillthat the discussions happening at major gaps when it comes tothe federal, provincial and territorial In early 2024, the departmentIndigenous-specific research andlevels are informed by research was one person. Today, wevedata, especially with regard to post- evidence that reflects Indigenous grown into a team of six full-timesecondary education and the tran- priorities and perspectives, not staff, supported by a network ofsition to employment. Indspiresimposed narratives. national contractors, consultantsR&I Team is helping to close thatWHERE WE ARE NOW and partners. We now have a five- gap. Our work is about more thanOur work is anchored around four year strategic plan (20242029),data; its about representing thestrategic pillars that guide everything a clear set of priorities, andlived experiences, strengths andwe do: Impactful Research: advancing By the Numbers Indigenous-led, student-centred Research & Impact Team inquiry. Program Evaluation: strength-ening accountability and 6 full-time Research & Impact staff (up from 1 in earlycontinuous learning. 2024)Data Intelligence: supporting 9 reports published and 9 more underway in FYevidence-based decision-making 202526through integrated data systems. 30+ reports rebranded under our new visual identityKnowledge Mobilization: moving research into action through Peer review process and ethics framework establishedstorytelling, partnerships, and policy engagement. 5 new evaluation reports on programs and events,Within these pillars, our team is including Soaring leading research across several key areas: 24indspiration2025'