Using Research to Drive Real-World Impact
At EALC, everything we do is grounded in evidence. By collaborating with leading research partners and using connected data, we’re shaping education policy and practice that meets the real needs of children, families, and communities.
Our strategy is not just informed by data — it’s powered by it.
Quick Stats
- 12,500+ children involved in Born in Bradford research
- 100+ Bradford schools engaged in applied education research
- 1st UK city to test integrated health and education data at scale
- 3 major system-wide priorities underpinned by research (SEND, Workforce, Place-based Strategy)
- 4 research institutions contributing to CAER-led studies in Bradford
- 100% of EALC initiatives informed by real-time data or published research
CAER Collaboration
EALC works closely with the Centre for Applied Education Research (CAER) — an internationally recognised research partnership led by Born in Bradford. CAER connects education settings with cutting-edge research and insights drawn from health, care, and community data.
This collaboration enables EALC to design and test new approaches that are both evidence-based and shaped by place. From SEND reform to early years readiness, our work is enhanced by real-time insights and deep research partnerships.
NIHR/HDRC Project
In 2024, EALC partnered with the NIHR Health Determinants Research Collaboration (HDRC) to lead a place-based research initiative focused on improving children’s life chances in Bradford.
This project aims to:
- Develop research-active schools and services
- Embed research capacity into frontline education settings
- Co-produce insights with communities, teachers, and young people
- Identify what works — and what doesn’t — in building integrated systems for children and families
Data-Led Strategy
Our data-led strategy supports place-based transformation by:
- Harnessing connected data from education, health, and care
- Ensuring decisions are evidence-based, not assumption-driven
- Supporting live testing of policies and interventions
- Tracking impact in real-time to adapt quickly and learn fast
Research is not an add-on — it’s a core function of system change. EALC is committed to making Bradford a national model for how education can work with, not around, data and research.