Reflecting on research impact: diversity of religion and belief in primary schools in England and Wales

Abstract

The relationship between research, policy and practice in the field of education has long been the focus of much discussion and debate. In the UK context, the growing weight attributed to research impact in the Research Excellence Framework has further intensified interest in how academics can promote the application of their research in non-academic contexts. There are relatively few existing publications that document research impact activities relating to religion and education, highlighting the potential to further explore processes of engagement, knowledge-exchange and research application within this subfield. This article provides a reflective account of a knowledge-exchange and impact project on diversity of religion and belief in primary schools in England and Wales, along with findings from an online survey that aimed to evaluate its impact. The data presented provides evidence for moderate success in meeting the project’s goals, alongside signposts for other researchers wishing to engage in impact activities on comparable topics and in similar educational contexts.