Dialogues with Marilyn Cochran-Smith

Abstract

For more than 30 years, Dr. Marilyn Cochran-Smith has developed and directed research and contributed to publications about education and practitioner research, especially about teachers’ research and learning in inquiry communities. Her primary topics are inquiry communities, teacher research, teacher education for social justice, and practitioner research. In this interview, we sought information about the trajectory of Dr. Cochran-Smith and Susan Lytle's research about the teacher research movement and teacher research process, particularly learning and professional development in inquiry communities. We were also interested in her opinions about the Obama administration's education policies, especially teacher education research in the United States. This article is the full text of the interview the authors conducted with Dr. Cochran-Smith in December 2012 at Boston College.