Where next for research on teaching assistants: the case for an international response

In this paper, the guest editors consider direction of research on teaching assistants (TAs), and how academics can elevate field within spheres education social sciences. We begin by unpicking, endorsing, Giangreco’s idea applying ‘Maslow’s Hammer test’ (expressed in special issue) to manuscripts about studies TAs inclusion journal editorship peer review processes. The purpose test is address disproportionate attention paid researchers a set narrow recurring interests, open up new lines inquiry discussions innovative methodological approaches required operationalise them. Secondly, we describe persistent urgent gap: shortage international data TAs. Given pre-eminence TA deployment as means facilitate access participation mainstream for pupils with educational needs, argue that continued lack large-scale TAs’ characteristics, experiences, practices impact poses risk advancing global agenda. Finally, make call expressions interest establishing an network help expand, empower raise esteem scholarship