The AIRN Active Implementation Research Network® was established to advance implementation practice, research, and policy, and to support the development of implementation science as both a field and a profession. It carries forward the influential work conducted under the umbrella of National Implementation Research Network (NIRN), created by Dean Fixsen and Karen Blase in 2002.   

The Active Implementation Research Network promotes purposeful learning by using a “virtuous cycle” of research to practice and practice to research. A virtuous cycle uses the best available evidence to improve implementation practices so that the use of those practices can be studied to advance knowledge to reveal the next set of research and evaluation questions. In this way, high fidelity use of what is known creates research opportunities to test predictions and theory to further develop the field.  

The AIRN approach to science and practice has its roots in developing, replicating, scaling, and sustaining the Teaching-Family Model (1967-present), one of the first evidence-based programs. The evidence and learning from the virtuous research to practice and practice to research cycles related to the Teaching-Family Model is well documented. The learning from these experiences established evidence for strong variables that formed the foundations for what are now known as the Active Implementation Frameworks™.  

Teams are required to do worthy work.  We are grateful for the leadership and support of Dr. Robert Friedman and Dr. David Shern at the University of South Florida and Dr. Sam Odom at the University of North Carolina FPG Child Development Institute, and for the inspiration, intelligence, and dedicated effort provided by our many science and practice colleagues over the years.