This article was originally produced as a presentation for a conference jointly hosted by the General Teaching Council for England and the Institute of Education, London University (where the author holds a visiting professorship) in November 2002. The article attempts to identify some links between "evidence", and "creativity" in the practice of teaching and research. It argues that engaging in and with research is often professionally refreshing, and can also constitute a more organic approach to school improvement. If this is so, then conventional modes of research dissemination need to be re-thought.