In this seminar we will look at the role of research in developing the work of Ofsted as ‘an intelligent inspectorate’. We will look at the way research is done as a co-construction between researchers and inspectors at Ofsted, and at the role of research and evaluation as part of organisational strategy. In particular, we will discuss how research is informing the development of the new Education Inspection Framework. We will present some of our ongoing research projects as examples of our approach.