CREED Research Collaborative
The Collaborative for Research in Education and Experiential Design (CREED) is a research design studio within Loyola University Chicago’s School of Education. It brings together faculty, students, and community partners to advance applied research, program evaluation, and experiential learning.
Through collaborative research and evaluation projects, CREED helps partners address organizational needs, inform decision-making, and strengthen programs.
Grounded in Ignatian pedagogy
Rooted in Loyola University Chicago’s Jesuit mission, the Ignatian Pedagogical Paradigm guides CREED’s approach to research and experiential learning. Its five interconnected elements—context, experience, reflection, action, and evaluation—connect academic learning with real-world challenges and partner needs.
CREED applies this framework to help participants understand the issues they are addressing, engage in hands-on research, reflect on what they learn, develop practical deliverables, and assess outcomes.
The Ignatian pedagogical paradigm in practice
- Context: Understand partners’ needs, organizational goals, and community circumstances.
- Experience: Engage in hands-on research and evaluation activities.
- Reflection: Connect theory and practice, examine assumptions, and consider ethical implications.
- Action: Develop research-based deliverables and recommendations that address partner needs.
- Evaluation: Assess student learning, gather partner feedback, and evaluate project outcomes.
Research and evaluation partnerships
CREED works with faculty and community and institutional partners on research and evaluation projects tailored to their goals and needs.
Services include:
- Research Design Consultation: Develop research questions, study designs, and plans for data collection and analysis.
- Program Evaluation: Assess program effectiveness, outcomes, and opportunities for improvement.
- Grant Collaboration: Collaborate on research and evaluation components of grant proposals.
- Capacity-Building Workshops: Build skills in research methods, evaluation, data use, and evidence-based practices.
Research that connects learning and practice
CREED brings together faculty expertise, student learning, and partner priorities through collaborative research and evaluation. As projects and course integrations are established, students can gain hands-on experience while contributing to work that addresses partner needs.
Partners can benefit from research findings, evidence-based recommendations, and support for strengthening their evaluation practices. These collaborations connect academic inquiry with practical questions and help inform organizational decision-making and improvement.
Contact Us
Interested in exploring a research collaboration, evaluation project, or capacity-building opportunity?
Please submit the or contact:
Eilene Edejer, PhD
Founding Director
eedejer@luc.edu