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Seeing it from both sides: Beyond bridges in research‐to‐practice
Author(s) -
Shindell Thomas J.
Publication year - 2005
Publication title -
human resource development quarterly
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.756
H-Index - 65
eISSN - 1532-1096
pISSN - 1044-8004
DOI - 10.1002/hrdq.1130
Subject(s) - citation , library science , sociology , computer science , psychology
As the chair of the ASTD Research-to-Practice Committee for three months, I am pleased and excited by all of the possibilities I see within ASTD and within the Academy of Human Resource Development for more significant collaboration. Natural partners, ASTD and the Academy have just begun to explore and engage in the mutually beneficial activities that are possible. The new ASTD senior director of research, Brenda Sugrue, is the organizational sponsor of the Research-to-Practice Committee. A strong force in developing a new focus and obtaining new resources for the ASTD Research Department, she has been a great partner in identifying the research needs of practitioners. I have also had the opportunity to interview Tony Bingham, the new CEO and president of ASTD, and hear his vision for ASTD and the field of workplace learning and performance (Shindell, 2005a). He sees partnering as key to ASTD’s future success. ASTD, traditionally a practitioner-focused organization, is making a concerted effort to reach out in direct ways to the academic research community. In response to previous suggestions from the Research-to-Practice Committee, ASTD is hosting its first Research-to-Practice Conference-within-a-Conference at its 2005 International Conference and Exposition in Orlando, Florida. In this new activity for ASTD, researchers and scholars will share their research results tailored to the needs of practitioners. ASTD is encouraging researchers, academics, and their students in human resource development (HRD) and workplace learning and performance to be more involved. Graciously, ASTD is making special conference rates available to them. The launch of the new Excellence in Research-to-Practice Awards is particularly exciting. Led by Darren Short and Martin Kormanik, the awards recognize excellence in research-to-practice activities conducted by researchers, practitioners, and collaborative partnerships of researchers and practitioners. As a former executive director of the Academy, I am pleased and excited by the international scope and membership it has achieved and the four journals (one of which is cosponsored with ASTD) it sponsors. I had the opportunity to interview the current president of the Academy, Larry Dooley,