On Oct. 9, 2026, MEP collaborated with the UW School of Education and the Collective for Research Impact and Social Partnerships (CRISP) to host an event titled “Conducting Research in the Madison Metropolitan School District.” The event was held in the School of Education on UW–Madison’s campus and advertised to graduate students, faculty members, and staff interested in learning more about the formal processes and best practices for doing research with the district. About 60 people attended the event, representing various roles, academic departments, and experience levels working with the Madison Metropolitan School District (MMSD).

Presenters from the Madison Education Partnership (MEP) provided background on the research-practice partnership and the district, then covered the three pathways to obtaining research approvals in MMSD: legal contracts, External Research Committee reviews, and MEP internships.

The presentation then shifted to MEP’s tips and tricks for conducting research in a public school district like MMSD, emphasizing the importance of professionalism and building trusting relationships. The “tips & tricks” section also included sharing and reflecting on a handout that incorporated guidance from researchers and practitioners who have worked with the partnership in the past. The program closed with Q&A, with the MEP team fielding a variety of questions ranging from logistical procedures to district and MEP priorities for research.

To learn more about the event, review the “Advice from the Field” handout.