ABSTRACT This article highlights four themes which focus upon the roles
of higher education in the development of transitional research into the
continuing professional development of teachers. The first theme
examines the contexts and conditions for teacher development over a
career span. The second theme looks at what research tells us about the
variables which affect professional learning and development, and the
limitations of current approaches. Theme three is critical of rational
research planning models which result in ineffective dissemination and
utilisation. It suggests that more attention needs to be paid by
researchers to issues of ownership, participation and equity. Theme four
proposes that researchers need to revisit their own purposes, roles,
responsibilities and accountabilities in order to move closer to those
communities whose needs they seek to serve. Finally, the article suggests
‘sustained flexibility’ as a means of establishing and building more
effective networks for learning and development