In this episode, we use the English for Academic Purposes (EAP) community as a case study to explore how professional groups situate research within their identities. While the EAP group might not be directly relevant to every listener, it offers a valuable example of how professional communities navigate questions of status, group norms, and the evolving role of research. We’ll delve into the social identity approach, examining how the relative status of professional groups in UK higher education influences their priorities and identities. Specifically, we explore how EAP practitioners balance their teaching-focused identity with the research-driven norms of the higher education landscape. This episode invites listeners to reflect on their own professional groups, using the EAP example as a springboard to analyse and interpret how their communities view and integrate research. Whether you’re part of higher education or another educational field, this discussion offers tools to better understand the social and professional dynamics shaping your work.

In this episode, we delve into the three key traditions of knowledge creation that shape education: the academic, practical, and integrated knowledge traditions. Building on Episode 1, we break down concepts like ontology and epistemology in accessible terms, helping you reflect on what counts as knowledge and how we generate insights in teaching and learning.

Whether you’re a teacher, educational leader, or considering a career in education, this episode unpacks how research traditions shape practice—and how you might position yourself within them. Tune in to explore how these traditions influence teaching, research, and professional growth.

In this first episode, we explore the question: What is research, and how does it shape our professional identities? Through personal reflections, we examine research as a personal, problem-solving, and community-driven process rather than an isolated activity. We discuss how research is shaped by the values and norms of our professional communities and how it connects us through collaboration and reflective practice. Whether you’re questioning what research means to you or curious about its broader impact, this episode lays the foundation for a thought-provoking series. Join me as we begin this journey of inquiry.