When such engagement is undertaken then matters associated with authentic ‘praxis development’ for field based and academic practitioners emerge. The authors explore: It draws upon extensive case studies from The Netherlands, Sweden and Australia which not only illustrate and illuminate, but also highlight contradictions and tensions. The case studies exhibit issues related to the quality of the partnerships between the academy and the field and the ways in which quality impacts upon practice. Additionally, the varying social geographies allow a discussion of different intellectual traditions, belief systems, problem settings, questions, and discourses. will appeal internationally to academics involved with practitioner research. It will also prove useful to practitioners across the education sectors, including researchers, teachers and those involved in education policy.