How Practice-Oriented Research Is Essential for Transformation: The Case of Using Community of Practice as a Method

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First published online 12 June 2026.

Why this study was done

Research can identify important problems, but it does not always lead to changes in everyday professional practice. In planning, this can mean that policies and research support inclusion and accessibility, while communities continue to experience barriers in their everyday lives. This study looked at how a Community of Practice (CoP) could help close the gap between research and practice. A Community of Practice brings people together who share an area of interest so they can exchange knowledge, experiences and ideas, and work together to improve practice. The researchers focused on disability equity and inclusion in urban and regional planning. They wanted to understand whether bringing practising planners together with researchers could help turn research findings into practical ideas and resources that could support more inclusive planning.

What this study did

The researchers established a Community of Practice of Planners (CoPP) as part of a larger project about planning inclusive communities.

Eight practising planners were initially involved, with six continuing throughout the Community of Practice. Members came from different planning roles and Australian states, including local and state government and planning consultancy. The group met online through monthly workshops and communicated between meetings. Members shared their professional experiences, discussed research findings, considered different perspectives and worked together to identify practical ways to improve disability inclusion in planning.

Importantly, the Community of Practice was designed as a shared and non-hierarchical space. Different forms of knowledge—including professional experience, lived experience and research knowledge—were valued. Members worked together to develop practical resources rather than researchers simply providing information to practitioners.One of the main outcomes was a co-produced discussion paper on planning for disability equity and inclusion for the planning profession.


What the study found

The study found that a Community of Practice can provide a useful way to connect research, professional practice and real-world change. Members valued being able to learn from people with different experiences and perspectives. Sharing experiences also helped members recognise that challenges they encountered individually were often shared by others.

The Community of Practice created opportunities for:

  • sharing professional knowledge and experiences;
  • learning from different perspectives;
  • developing practical solutions together;
  • building professional relationships and confidence;
  • translating research findings into useful resources; and
  • supporting practitioners to become active contributors to change.

The researchers found that the approach worked differently from traditional research activities such as interviews or focus groups because members were not simply providing information. Instead, they shared knowledge, discussed ideas, made decisions and co-produced an outcome together.The study also identified important factors for a successful Community of Practice. These included having a clear shared purpose, valuing different types of knowledge, building trust and relationships, allowing flexibility, sharing decision-making, and working towards a practical outcome.

What this means

This study suggests that research can have greater practical value when the people who use research in their everyday work are involved in creating, interpreting and applying knowledge.Communities of Practice may provide a way to move beyond simply producing research findings towards creating knowledge that is relevant and useful in real-world settings. They can also help build networks of people who are able to continue advocating for and applying changes after a research project has finished.

For disability inclusion, this approach is particularly relevant because creating inclusive communities requires more than policies or guidelines. It also requires changes in everyday professional practice. The researchers suggest that Communities of Practice could therefore be a valuable tool for researchers and practitioners seeking to improve disability equity, inclusion and participation, and to translate research into meaningful practice change.

This study was conducted by: Mr Andrew Holmes, Dr Lisa Stafford, Dr. Megan Taylor, Mr. David Bailey, Mr Trent Henderson, Dr Matt Novacevski and Ms Akemi Traill.

To read the full article, visit the journal.

To read the full article, visit the journal.

For other accessible formats, please see the column to the right.

Disclaimer: The QDRN has utilised generative AI to refine the wording of this plain language summary. All content has been checked for accuracy, appropriate tone, and clarity and approved by the author.

First published online 12 June 2026.

Why this study was done

Research can identify important problems, but it does not always lead to changes in everyday professional practice. In planning, this can mean that policies and research support inclusion and accessibility, while communities continue to experience barriers in their everyday lives. This study looked at how a Community of Practice (CoP) could help close the gap between research and practice. A Community of Practice brings people together who share an area of interest so they can exchange knowledge, experiences and ideas, and work together to improve practice. The researchers focused on disability equity and inclusion in urban and regional planning. They wanted to understand whether bringing practising planners together with researchers could help turn research findings into practical ideas and resources that could support more inclusive planning.

What this study did

The researchers established a Community of Practice of Planners (CoPP) as part of a larger project about planning inclusive communities.

Eight practising planners were initially involved, with six continuing throughout the Community of Practice. Members came from different planning roles and Australian states, including local and state government and planning consultancy. The group met online through monthly workshops and communicated between meetings. Members shared their professional experiences, discussed research findings, considered different perspectives and worked together to identify practical ways to improve disability inclusion in planning.

Importantly, the Community of Practice was designed as a shared and non-hierarchical space. Different forms of knowledge—including professional experience, lived experience and research knowledge—were valued. Members worked together to develop practical resources rather than researchers simply providing information to practitioners.One of the main outcomes was a co-produced discussion paper on planning for disability equity and inclusion for the planning profession.


What the study found

The study found that a Community of Practice can provide a useful way to connect research, professional practice and real-world change. Members valued being able to learn from people with different experiences and perspectives. Sharing experiences also helped members recognise that challenges they encountered individually were often shared by others.

The Community of Practice created opportunities for:

  • sharing professional knowledge and experiences;
  • learning from different perspectives;
  • developing practical solutions together;
  • building professional relationships and confidence;
  • translating research findings into useful resources; and
  • supporting practitioners to become active contributors to change.

The researchers found that the approach worked differently from traditional research activities such as interviews or focus groups because members were not simply providing information. Instead, they shared knowledge, discussed ideas, made decisions and co-produced an outcome together.The study also identified important factors for a successful Community of Practice. These included having a clear shared purpose, valuing different types of knowledge, building trust and relationships, allowing flexibility, sharing decision-making, and working towards a practical outcome.

What this means

This study suggests that research can have greater practical value when the people who use research in their everyday work are involved in creating, interpreting and applying knowledge.Communities of Practice may provide a way to move beyond simply producing research findings towards creating knowledge that is relevant and useful in real-world settings. They can also help build networks of people who are able to continue advocating for and applying changes after a research project has finished.

For disability inclusion, this approach is particularly relevant because creating inclusive communities requires more than policies or guidelines. It also requires changes in everyday professional practice. The researchers suggest that Communities of Practice could therefore be a valuable tool for researchers and practitioners seeking to improve disability equity, inclusion and participation, and to translate research into meaningful practice change.

This study was conducted by: Mr Andrew Holmes, Dr Lisa Stafford, Dr. Megan Taylor, Mr. David Bailey, Mr Trent Henderson, Dr Matt Novacevski and Ms Akemi Traill.

To read the full article, visit the journal.

To read the full article, visit the journal.

For other accessible formats, please see the column to the right.

Disclaimer: The QDRN has utilised generative AI to refine the wording of this plain language summary. All content has been checked for accuracy, appropriate tone, and clarity and approved by the author.