While collaborative action research is an empowering approach to developing academic practice, it also presents a number of challenges regarding the purpose, nature and consequences of academic development. This research note raises questions and issues concerning how action research exposes new academics to the conflicts and tensions of the "realpolitik" of modern universities. Supported by Scottish Higher Education Enhancement Research funding, the authors collaborated on an action research project. While the focus was on "student engagement", this research note emphasises broader findings exposed during the research. As a consequence of the action research approach, the authors entered into discussions, debates, negotiations, and reflection. The emphases of these activities differed as questions developed, plans for action were negotiated, research methods applied, analysis and findings reflected upon, and further plans and questions devised. Rather unexpectedly, these conversations exposed and challenged their assumptions regarding the role of academic development, education, and the institutional context within which education and development were rooted.