Collaborative research and action to transform education systems
Global Symposium Series

Monday, April 20, 2026, 9:00 – 10:30 a.m. EDT 
Online: https://www.brookings.edu/events/collaborative-research-and-action-to-transform-education-systems 

When research is shared, power is distributed, and learning is collective, more relevant and lasting change is possible both in and through education.

For more than two decades, the Center for Universal Education at Brookings (CUE) has worked with partners across the globe to advance education policy and practice. This event is a part of the Global Symposium Series 2026 and builds on the collaborative work of the Knowing Doing Network (KDN). It is co-hosted and co-designed by An Giang University, the Center for Universal Education at Brookings, EducAid Sierra Leone, Educación para Compartir, Mizizi Elimu Afrika, Society for Access to Quality Education (SAQE), and Vozes da Educação.  

CUE’s collaborative research and action approach engages actors across community, national, regional, and global education ecosystems—researchers, practitioners, policymakers, educators, and young people themselves—to promote locally driven knowledge creation, research-to-action pathways, and systemic transformation.

On April 20, join CUE for its annual symposium on education systems transformation, which will feature panels, interactive workshops, critical dialogues, tools for action, and ample time for strengthening relationships and building new connections. Over the day, education actors will:

• Bring  their context, leave with new connections and concrete lessons. Learn from and with education practitioners, researchers, policymakers, and young people working across regions and contexts.

• Explore how collaborative approaches are producing more relevant, actionable evidence and tools with communities. See how other actors are translating evidence into action and changing systems.

• Add their voice to a global conversation that centers local knowledge and priorities.  

The opening plenary will be livestreamed. Online viewers can submit questions via e-mail to events@brookings.edu or on X/Twitter @BrookingsGlobal or on BlueSky using #KnowingDoing.