Communities of practice are groups of people who share a common interest or profession and come together to learn from one another, solve problems, and develop best practices. These communities often form naturally within organizations or industries and are characterized by their informal and collaborative nature. Research on communities of practice explores how these groups function, how knowledge and expertise are shared within them, and how they can be leveraged to improve individual and organizational performance. Researchers in this area may study the dynamics of communication and collaboration within communities, the role of leadership in facilitating learning and innovation, and the impact of technology on the formation and sustainability of these groups. Overall, research on communities of practice seeks to understand how these informal networks can be harnessed to promote continuous learning, knowledge transfer, and professional development within organizations and across industries.