Values-led Leadership and Practice

Introduction to LETR - 3 Resources:

PowerPoint:

Living Educational Theory Research:an Introduction

Discover what Living Educational Theory research is all about, why it matters, and how it differs from traditional approaches. Hear from Professor Jack Whitehead, why this methodology is important and how it was developed from his practice as  science teacher. A clear, accessible starting point for anyone curious about values-led inquiry and Living Educational Theory Research.

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Reading:

Introduction to Professor Jack Whitehead’s 1989 Seminal Paper on Living Educational Theory Research:

In 1989, Professor Jack Whitehead published a landmark paper that laid the foundations for what is now known as Living Educational Theory Research (LETR). This work challenged conventional approaches to education research by placing the practitioner’s lived experience at the centre of inquiry.

Whitehead’s central question – “How do I improve what I am doing?” – continues to inspire educators, researchers, and practitioners worldwide. His paper broke new ground by showing how individuals can create their own explanations of practice, rooted in the values that give their lives meaning and purpose.

Reading this seminal work offers:

• An introduction to the origins of LET research

• Insight into why values-led inquiry is both rigorous and transformative

• A foundation for understanding how personal practice can generate theory of global relevance

This paper remains a touchstone for those who believe that educational research should not only explain the world but also help to improve it.

Key Ideas from Jack Whitehead’s 1989 Paper:

1. Practitioner-Led Inquiry
   Whitehead argued that teachers and educators are best placed to research their own practice. Instead of relying solely on external theories, practitioners can generate insights grounded in their daily experiences

2. Focus on Improvement
   The central question guiding Living Educational Theory research is: “How do I improve what I am doing?” The goal is not just to describe practice but to actively enhance it

3. Values at the Core
   Values—such as fairness, justice, compassion, or respect, are central to Living Educational Theory Research. Whitehead emphasised that our actions should be guided by the values that give our work meaning

4. Creating Explanations of Practice
   Practitioners develop their own explanations of why certain approaches work or don’t work. These 'living-educatioanl- theories' are personal, reflective, and evidence-based

5. Transformative Potential
   By making values explicit and linking them to actions, Living Educational Theory Research supports both personal growth and transformation, as well as broader social improvement - the flourishing of humanity. The approach is both practical and ethical

6. Social Validation Through Community - Peer Validation Group
   Whitehead highlighted the importance of sharing findings with peers and communities to test, refine, and validate one’s living-educational-theory. Research is strengthened when it engages others in dialogue

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TED Talk:

Introduction to Professor Jack Whitehead’s TED Talk:

Professor Jack Whitehead’s TED Talk brings the principles of Living Educational Theory Research (LETR) to life, tracing how this methodology originated and evolved. In the talk, Whitehead explains how LET research began as a way for educators to study their own practice, make their values explicit, and create personal, evidence-based explanations of why their actions work.

He highlights the transformative power of LET research—not only for improving teaching and learning but also for inspiring wider change in communities and organisations. Viewers are invited to consider how their own values can guide their practice and contribute to knowledge that is both personal and globally relevant.

Key Takeaways from Jack Whitehead’s TED Talk

1. Origins of LET Research: Learn how Living Educational Theory research began as a way for educators to study and improve their own practice

2. Practitioner-Led Inquiry: Emphasises that professionals and practitioners can generate knowledge from their own experiences

3. Values at the Core: Actions and decisions should be guided by the values that give meaning and purpose to one’s work

4. Creating living-educational-theories: Practitioners develop personal, evidence-based explanations of values-led improvement in practice

5. Transformative Impact: Living Eductional Theory Research improves practice while also contributing to wider organisational and community change

6. Engagement and Sharing: Highlights the importance of sharing findings with peers to validate and extend learning