What is Knowledge Mobilization? How do I mobilize knowledge? Why should my knowledge be mobilized?
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Mobilized!
“The challenge is how to assemble, in user ready form, information/knowledge addressing a specific area of interest effectively and efficiently transfer this deliverable to end users”
Background
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Knowledge mobilization is a concept that has been growing in popularity throughout the past decade (and beyond). This coincides with several populist movements in academics and government – for example, the Data Liberation Initiative commenced in the mid-90’s, including proposal of research data centres in 1998. Similarly, the mid-90’s saw a major upswell in the Community-Based research movement, which aims to reconnect participants to research that’s been done on them, with a focus on developing useful, policy-relevant data. Another example is the “Public Sociology” movement championed by Michael Burawoy, which was touted at the 2004 American Sociological Association. This movement is situated in traditions political activism and social engagement. The term Knolwedge Mobilization was introduced to the tri-council in 2002, and action frameworks developed by 2004.
Knowledge mobilization is a broad and encompassing term that includes the products, processes, and relationships among knowledge creators, users, and mediators
Knowledge Mobilization (SSHRC): Knowledge mobilization is about ensuring that all citizens benefit from publicly funded research. It can take many forms, but the essential objective is to allow research knowledge to flow both within the academic world, and between academic researchers and the wider community. By moving research knowledge into society, knowledge mobilization increases its intellectual, economic, social and cultural impact.
SSHRC
Knowledge Translation (CIHR): Knowledge translation (KT) is defined as a dynamic and iterative process that includes synthesis, dissemination, exchange and ethically-sound application of knowledge to improve the health of Canadians, provide more effective health services and products and strengthen the health care system.
CIHR
Technology Transfer/Commercialization (NSERC): The process of transferring skills, knowledge, technologies, methods of manufacturing, samples of manufacturing and facilities among governments or universities and other institutions to ensure that scientific and technological developments are accessible to a wider range of users who can then further develop and exploit the technology into new products, processes, applications, materials or services.
NSERC
Research People
Knowledge
Simplified
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If we were to digest each of these definitions and the related concepts into it simplest form, we’d be left with this diagram – circulating knowledge between research(ers) and people. My role, as the knowledge mobilization officer, is to assist you in this interface.
Integrated End of Grant Findings 1 2
Two types of KM
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Integrated (problem-based research): The researcher engages potential knowledge users as partners in the research process. Requires a collaborative or participatory approach to research that is action oriented and is solutions and impact focused. End of Grant (curiosity-driven research): The researcher develops and implements a plan that apprises various audiences (knowledge users) with the knowledge that has been generated.
• How can your methods impact knowledge users?
• What are the expected results (structured KM)
• Are there any unexpected results (serendipitous KM)?
Integrated KM
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In
How can your methods impact knowledge users?
Integrated KM
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In most cases, your research will have an impact on one or more of our groups mentioned above. More often than not this is naturally occurring and simply requires that you identify outcomes, even though they may seem to be common sense. When you prepare your proposal, consider: Who are the participants and how will they be working with me in data collection? How will the data collection methods impact their lives (new skills, new strategies, new knowledge)? Who might benefit from my findings in an ongoing manner? Will I be producing knowledge that is useful even in its preliminary state?
What is the structured KM?
Integrated KM
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Structured KM is an extension of the first question – that is, structured KM is about identifying your anticipated integrated knowledge mobilization activities. You should really delve deeper into defining how participating in the research process will benefit the knowledge users. For instance: Are you placing new/developmental technology into the hands of novices? Experts? Will you be providing training/skills development for the participants? Can your short-term findings improve the life of your subjects in other ways? This is also an opportunity to make use of existing scholarship to bolster your application. Are you looking to confirm existing techniques in new applications? Do you hope to challenge broadly accepted norms?
What is the serendipitous KM?
Integrated KM
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Serendipitous – the unanticipated outcomes of research – are by definition unpredictable. In this its difficult to write them down; however, you can allude to possibility. Are you maximizing exposure between two groups in new ways? Are you putting two groups who normally wouldn’t associate together for a first time? Are you putting research elements into new, never-before-seen situations?
Examples of integrated KM: Kotsopoulos, D. (2010). When collaborative is not collaborative: Supporting student learning through self-surveillance. International Journal of Educational Research, 49(4), 129-140. Thomas–MacLean, R., Towers, A., Quinlan, E., Hack, T. F., Kwan, W., Miedema, B., Tilley, A., & Graham, P. (2009). “This is a kind of betrayal”: a qualitative study of disability after breast cancer. Current Oncology, 16(3), 26.
Integrated KM
• What are your research outcomes • Who will be your audience • What are effective tools
End-of-grant KM
What are your research outcomes?
End-of-grant KM
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Most scholarly research is complex and multi-dimensional. Your work is a combination of multiple research questions, methods, and findings. Like chapters of a book or parts of a machine, each of these elements can be described independently or as a part of the whole. When reviewing your outcomes, try considering: Why is this research important? Is the curiosity itself of interest to the public? Was your approach to research (methods, participants) novel? If so, can your observations be shared? Can discrete findings be separated from the whole body? Practice: the elevator pitch
Who is your audience?
End-of-grant KM
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Audiences can be divided in a number of ways – just like society. Look at your findings and consider who might be most interested in what? A few types of audiences to consider include: Academics & Scholars: As we know, there is an entire spectrum of scholars – some with contradicting or competing interests. In some cases your research will be of interest to academia as a whole, but in many other cases it will be specific to certain groups. Is there discipline that relates to your methods, approach, participants, or subject specifically? Participants and the public: Beyond the academy there are countless individuals with interest in your work. Consider the individuals who may have contributed to your project as participants or in other fashions – what will they already know about the research? What findings will be of greatest impact to them? Similarly, what will be of importance to the general public? How can you relate your findings to their daily life? One of the greatest challenges for many academics is breaking down the perceived barriers of knowledge – avoid common assumptions and predispositions, and approach your work from outside of the box. Policy makers/Industry/related organizations: For this last group, think about your research in terms of applicability or “usefulness.” That is, what will these groups be able to take away from your findings that can be leveraged to improve their work/business?
What tools will work?
End-of-grant KM
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Upon identifying your outcomes and audience, you need to put some time into evaluating the materials and actions that will resonate the most. Generally, this means identifying a toolkit of multiple outreach tools – but don’t be alarmed, as this does not necessitate exhaustive efforts. This step requires a critical assessment of your audience’s interests and capacities. In producing your tools, first consider things such as: available time, literacy levels, technical know-how/understanding, level of interest. Next consider format: Are there common ways of consuming knowledge amongst this group? How far do you want the knowledge to spread? What do you want to convey? These answers will often vary, necessitating multiple formats (depending on ambition, energy, and economics) Finally, consider accessibility: Are there any barriers to accessing your knowledge?
Examples of End-of-grant KM Sethi, B. (2014). Do you see what I see? A participatory photovoice research project. Kenned, R., McLeman, R., Sawada, M., & Smigielski, J. (2013). Use of smartphone technology for small-scale silviculture: A test of low-cost technology in Eastern Ontario. Small-scale Forestry 13, p. 101-115 Nighman, C. (2014). The Electronic Manipulus Florum Project. http://web.wlu.ca/history/cnighman/index.html
End-of-grant KM
Why is this important?
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Using SSHRC as an example: In 2007 the governing council committed to a series of strategic objectives, including: facilitate and enable the accessibility and impact of research by increasing and enhancing the flow of research knowledge among researchers, and between researchers and knowledge users; improve research connections by facilitating reciprocal relationships between researchers and knowledge users for the (co-)creation and use of research knowledge; and enhance the quality of knowledge mobilization by developing networks, tools and best practices. In other words, knowledge mobilization has become a core component of the tri-council granting strategy.
Journal articles Book/textbook manuscript Conference presentations Public lecture Webcasting/Webinar Panel presentations Opinion piece Media interview One pager Clear language summary Website/Web content Program of research video
Public reports Toolkits/strategies Models/visions Procedures Professional publications Policy brief Face-to-face meetings Dinner engagements Social media Blogging
Examples
Laurier Services • Assistance disseminating faculty research to the
broader public through materials, events, and social media.
• Brokering research partnership between community members and university researchers
• Clear language, social media, and event training • Other roles (e.g. building research portfolios…) • Connecting with provincial and national bodies
Communications, Public Affairs, and Marketing (CPAM): • Develops and delivers the university's key messages • Provides information and advocacy on behalf of the university • Positions Laurier in the post-secondary sector • Handles all requests from the media • Manages Laurier's official social media channels • Publishes Laurier's alumni magazine, Campus, and internal
newspaper, insideLaurier • Promotes research and events through news releases, social
media, media outreach, website articles and articles in Laurier publications
CPAM is happy to help you with: • General media training • Preparing for an interview if you have been contacted by a
reporter • Promoting your research or event to the media & external
community (through news releases, media pitches & social media)
• Promoting an event or initiative to the Laurier community • News-style coverage of an event (article, photo or video) • Designing a marketing piece (e.g. poster, brochure or invitation)
wlu.ca/creativeservices • Setting up a social media site for your department
James Popham, MA, PhD(can.) Knowledge Mobilization Officer Office of Research Services [email protected] Extension 4942
