• be the strategic leader of the Initiative, creating a vision and strategies to achieve the desired outcomes
• set priorities and criteria for research programme funding and recommend these to the Minister
• ratify the process for deciding on the research programme to be funded
• recommend to the Minister the research proposals to be funded
• advise and liaise with the programme co-ordination function in the implementation of the Initiative
• recommend associated activities to enhance the research capability and the professional linkages between researchers and practitioners
• provide advice on how to achieve and facilitate the impact of the research programme in their own sector networks
• review the outcomes of the Initiative at appropriate milestones and adjust the strategic management of the initiative when required

Sam Jolly (Chair), Group Manager, Analysis, Research and Evaluation – Ministry of Education

Professor Jo Fletcher, Associate Dean Academic, School of Teacher Education – University of Canterbury

Associate Professor Meegan Hall (Ngāti Ranginui, Ngāti Tūwharetoa), Assistant Vice-Chancellor, Mātauranga Māori – Victoria University of Wellington

Associate Professor Jacoba Matapo (She/Her), Associate Professor, Pro Vice-Chancellor Pacific – Auckland University of Technology

Professor Stuart McNaughton, Chief Education Scientific Advisor to Ministry of Education – University of Auckland

Elena Moretti, Director Insights and Impact – Education Review Office

Professor Melinda Webber, (Ngāti Whakaue, Ngāpuhi, Ngāti Kahu), Te Tumu – Deputy Dean, Faculty of Education and Social Work – University of Auckland