Elena Marin

How can researchers facilitate the utilisation of research by policy-makers and practitioners in education?

Abstract Interest in research utilisation in policy and practice has grown in the last few years for both academics and users. This interest is partly due to changes in higher education institutions in many countries that emphasise a research-centred approach, which prioritises the dissemination and transfer of research results to end users. The process represents a paradigm shift and a challenge, especially for countries in which the transition from a university model based on teaching to one intensive in research is still ongoing. Our research analyses academics’ perceptions in relation to the utilisation of their research in policy-making in Romania. One hundred and fifteen academics answered a survey based on an adapted research utilisation scale. Academics’ perception is that educational research is generally only slightly used by policy-makers and practitioners. Academics have more influence on the transmission of knowledge and less on the rest of the research utilisation (RU) process, which involves end users. Furthermore, they generally see research as part of their professional growth and less as a way to respond to social problems.

Academic Managers` Perspective on Research Management in Higher Education Institutions across Romania

This paper seeks to bring into discussion the main traits and their effects on the research management process within Romanian universities from the managers’ perspective. Fourteen academic managers took part in a semistructured in-depth interview aimed at presenting and analysing the research management process in higher education institutions. The focus was on academic managers` perspective regarding the current university model, the research culture within universities and the internal strategies used to promote and stimulate research production. Results show the university should be considered an important pillar for economic growth and thus, it must invest in developing more research activities of higher quality, helping to transform knowledge into a profitable investment. Therefore, the university needs to support the development of internal strategies that will help researchers work individually or in teams in order to implement research projects, ensuring that potential inaccuracies, such as lack of institutional support or bureaucracy, are reduced.