During over three decades with WestEd, Nikola (Nikki) Filby has directed research and development projects that have guided improvements in teaching and learning across the country.

Filby directs the Regional Educational Laboratory West (REL West), the federally funded contract to support four western states—Arizona, California, Nevada, and Utah—and help educators increase use of data and evidence in decision making. Under her leadership in the previous REL West contract (2012-2017), research alliances tackled key priorities in focus areas such as college and career readiness, meeting the needs of English learner students, educator effectiveness, and improving school climate. In collaboration with our field partners, REL West produced 22 published research reports, developed video-based workshops, co-hosted events on topics such as trauma-informed practices, and assisted local improvement projects. As REL Director, Filby also knows and works with other RELs and system leaders.

Filby currently co-directs the Innovation Studies Program at WestEd, which aims to help educators learn about and implement promising ideas from research and practice. Products from these R&D projects include:

• Case studies of innovations in a series of 14 Innovation Guides produced for the Office of Innovation and Improvement in the U.S. Department of Education.
• Websites such as the School Turnaround Learning Community operated for the Office of School Turnaround and Doing What Works, both funded by the U.S. Department of Education.
• Online toolkits like one for Magnet School Assistance Program grantees on how to drive school reform through integration of a theme.
• Formative evaluation reports to guide rapid-cycle improvements in implementation of Common Core State Standards such as Core to College and Math in Common.
• Online courses for teachers and administrators for convenient and effective learning about research-based instructional practices and integration of technology.
• Policy and knowledge briefs to provide decision makers with distilled information about options and alternatives in critical areas of innovation.

During three decades in educational R&D, Filby’s work has consistently spanned the boundaries between research and practice. Her research includes large-scale quantitative studies, evaluations of state and local programs, and case studies of innovative practices. Her publications range from articles in peer-reviewed journals and books to practitioner publications and guides with nationwide distribution. She has directed collaborative projects that bring educators together across organizational and state boundaries to learn with and from each other and support improvements in practice based on R&D. She has been a leader in interorganizational projects to develop R&D resources for educators across the nation.

Filby received a BA in psychology from Wellesley College and a PhD in educational psychology and learning from Stanford University.