# “Equitable, Trusted Partnerships” for Racial and Social Justice in Education
Funded by a Grand Challenges Team Project Grant from the University of Maryland, the [Racial and Social Justice Research-Practice Partnership Collaborative](https://research.umd.edu/rsjc) aims to address racial and social injustices in education through equitable partnerships between UMD faculty and staff and educators in local school districts.
This collaborative is part of the College of Education’s initiative, with over $30 million awarded to 50 projects addressing critical societal issues. Led by Christine M. Neumerski, the project involves colleagues from the School of Public Policy, Office of Community Engagement, and College of Education.
Research-practice partnerships (RPPs) aim to create long-term relationships where researchers and practitioners collaborate to develop research questions that are relevant and important to both parties. These partnerships challenge the traditional power roles and strive to create equitable, trusted relationships. The ultimate goal is to effect change that benefits all involved parties.
The collaborative project is set to partner with four local school districts: Anne Arundel, Howard, Montgomery, and Prince George’s County Public Schools. The aim is to increase racial and social justice in education by identifying and addressing common challenges across districts, with the eventual goal of funding two faculty members at UMD to build out an RPP. Additionally, the project will offer opportunities for individuals to learn and pool their knowledge on best practices for RPPs.
The collaborative brings together colleagues from various university departments, allowing for a multidimensional approach to addressing racial and social injustices. This collaborative approach is essential in understanding the broader policies contributing to inequities in education, and for considering the impact of school systems within larger communities.
For Neumerski, the issue of racial and social injustices in education is deeply personal, stemming from her experience as a teacher. She observed systemic barriers denying opportunities to her students and sought ways to address the structural challenges they faced. This collaborative presents an opportunity to bridge the gap between education research and practice and aims to tackle racial and social injustices in schools.
The leadership team includes various members from the College of Education, with Neumerski as the Principal Investigator and a diverse group of individuals with valuable expertise in education and leadership.