William R. Penuel and Daniel J. Gallagher, Creating Research‐Practice Partnerships in Education (Cambridge, MA: Harvard Education Press, 2017). 241 pp. $31, ISBN‐13: 978‐1682530474

• Author: James R. Harrington
• Date: 01 March 2019
• DOI: http://doi.org/10.1111/puar.13042
• Published date: 01 March 2019

Book Reviews 289

James R. Harrington is assistant

professor of public and nonprofit

management at the University of Texas

at Dallas. His research interests include

accountability reform, performance

management, program evaluation, policy

analysis, and education governance.

E-mail: james.harrington@utdallas.edu

William R. Penuel and Daniel J. Gallagher, Creating

Research-Practice Partnerships in Education (Cambridge, MA:

Harvard Education Press, 2017). 241 pp. $31,

ISBN-13: 978-1682530474

To bridge the gap between academics and

practitioners, universities are engaging in more

research–practice partnerships (RPP) to solve

practical and relevant problems in their communities.

In Creating Research-Practice Partnerships in Education,

the authors share some of their valuable experiences

working in these types of partnerships. This book

provides a holistic perspective by providing insights

from authors William Penuel, a research professor

at the University of Colorado Boulder, and Daniel

Gallagher, a practitioner at Seattle Public Schools. In

doing so, this book provides a helpful guide to build,

grow, and sustain RPPs.

Public Administration Review (PAR) strives to publish

relevant and impactful research that serves both

academics and practitioners. As we advance theory

and practice in the public sector, I am sure all PAR

readers acknowledge the importance of building more

bridges between research universities and public sector

institutions. Without a doubt, an RPP has the ability

to solve the most pressing problems facing our society.

Simply put, this type of work makes university research

more visible within a community and creates a benefit

for everyone involved. These types of partnerships,

while ideal, are challenging to implement. To

contribute to the literature, Penuel and Gallagher

provide practical solutions and advice based on their

extensive experience working within partnerships.

In their book, the authors argue that RPPs must be

centered around mutualistic interests. Although this

Reviewed by: James R. Harrington

The University of Texas at Dallas

Public Administration Review,

Vol. 79, Iss. 2, pp. 289–291. © 2019 by

The American Society for Public Administration.

DOI: 10.1111/puar.13042.