ABSTRACT
This chapter explores how authors can collectively democratize the evidence movement in education. It explores that the movement for evidence in education could accomplish much more by aligning our efforts with democratic principles. The chapter aims for a more engaged and evidence-informed "citizenry" in which different stakeholders can meaningfully participate in the production and use of data and research evidence to inform educational improvement. It discusses why it is important to democratize the evidence movement in education and the urgency of tackling it now. The chapter offers what a more democratic evidence system could look like in action by focusing on shared values; redefining relationships, roles, and professional identities; and putting in place new practices and structures. It focuses on researchers and practitioners, but authors see them as only two sets of stakeholders within a broader democratic movement. The civic values of dialogue, negotiation, and optimism also need to be mobilized to support a more democratic evidence movement.
