The Vulnerable Population of Teacher-Researchers; Or, “Why I Can’t Name My Coauthors”

Educational researchers are accustomed to institutional review board (IRB) requirements (e.g., protecting participants) with students often identified as the only “vulnerable population” for IRB purposes. However, as practitioner research has gained more prominence, the vulnerability of teacher-researchers themselves has begun to surface. In this article I tell the stories of teachers who felt ostracized as a result of engaging in research and publication. Drawing on research from Scandinavia and Australia, I present some reasons why teachers might seek to “cut down” colleagues who conduct and publish research. Finally, I present suggestions for university-based researchers and teacher educators who wish to help practitioner researchers prepare for any potential backlash as well as some questions for future research.