Knowledge Mobilization

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Open Access
A Field Note Describing the Development and Dissemination of Clear Language Research Summaries for University-Based Knowledge Mobilization
(Scholarly & Research Communications, 2012-10-09) Phipps, David; Jensen, Krista; Johnny, Michael; Myers, Gary
Objectives: The outputs of academic research are often written in technical language that is not accessible or useful to non-academic audiences. We set out to develop and disseminate clear language research summaries as one element of York University’s Knowledge Mobilization (KMb) strategy. This field note describes how we developed, evaluated, and disseminated clear language research summaries as tools for research outreach and communication. Methods and Results: We worked under the auspices of a Steering Committee of research stakeholders and under the instruction of a clear language writing and design specialist to develop research summaries in a format that would comply with clear language writing and design principles. This format was tested in roundtables of diverse research stakeholders and has received positive feedback from diverse research users. The research summaries were made accessible online and disseminated using a social media strategy. The use of Twitter to enhance dissemination of the research summaries increased web traffic to the research summary database by 270%. Conclusions: We find that clear language research summaries are appealing to non-academic decision-makers and can be used to disseminate research findings to a wide online audience. Based on this feedback we have adopted this standard research summary format as part of an institutional knowledge mobilization strategy. Providing greater access to research summaries has the potential to connect decision-makers and communities to academic researchers, which ultimately helps academic research to inform decision-making.
Open Access
A Report Detailing the Development of a University-Based Knowledge Mobilization Unit that Enhances Research Outreach and Engagement
(Scholarly and Research Communications, 2011) Phipps, David
This field note presents reflections from the perspective of a knowledge mobilization (KMb) practitioner after five years of developing and delivering KMb services in a university-based environment. This field note is a “how-to” based on experience in the field of KMb practice and places that experience in the context of academic literature. The article concludes that KMb is not a single event or process but a system, a suite of services working together to support the multidirectional connection of researchers with decision-makers. The six KMb services comprising the KMb system are informed by four broad KMb methods: producer push, user pull, knowledge exchange, and coproduction. Examples of each service are provided along with key observations that allow others interested in developing institutional KMb support services to implement these services in their own context. The field note concludes with clear recommendations for individuals and organizations interested in developing their own system of KMb services.
Open Access
An institutional Process for Brokering community-campus research collaborations
(University of Saskatoon, 2015-05) Phipps, David; Johnny, Michael; Wedlock, Jane
Knowledge mobilization seeks to identify and support authentic research collaborations between community and university so that benefits of the research accrue to both partners. Knowledge brokering is a key knowledge mobilization mechanism that helps community and university partners connect and build relationships in order to share expertise for mutual opportunity. There remains a need to describe in detail the typical knowledge brokering devices and methodologies. This paper presents a detailed description of York University’s knowledge brokering service which is based on eight years of knowledge mobilization practice. The process is broken into 5 broad stages: 1) in progress; 2) no match; 3) match and no activity; 4) match and activity; 5) match and project. Stage 5 includes a step to identify the non-academic impacts of the collaborative research project. This process is illustrated using examples from York University’s practice in which a match was brokered for 82% of the 342 knowledge mobilization opportunities received between 2006-2014. York University partners with United Way York Region (UWYR) to create a regional approach to knowledge mobilization supports. This paper illustrates the impacts on community and university knowledge mobilization partners following the introduction of a community-based knowledge broker at UWYR.
Open Access
Applying Social Sciences Research for Public Benefit Using Knowledge Mobilization and Social Media
(InTech, 2012-08-16) Phipps, David; Jensen, Krista; Myers, J. Gary
Open Access
Are you engaged in engagement?
(Association of Commonwealth Universities, 15-Mar) Phipps, David
December 2014 saw the launch of the ACU Engage Community – a new special interest group for all those working or involved in university community engagement. Here, David Phipps offers an overview of this important area and suggests how universities can start to bring their institutions closer to the society around them.
Open Access
Generating Social Change Through Community–Campus Collaboration
(2015-09-26) Nichols, Naomi; Gaetz, Stephen; Phipps, David;
In this article, a qualitative case study approach was used to explore the changes that community–campus collaborations stimulate. The authors document the “processes of interaction” (Spaapen & van Drooge, 2011) through which collaborations seek to contribute to positive social change, highlighting the outputs, outcomes, and innovations that have resulted from these collaborative endeavors. This article focuses on improving efforts to track the changes or innovations that are influenced by community–campus interactions. Findings suggest that researchers should focus on the broad field of activity through which collaborations contribute to change. Specifically, there is utility in tracking the “processes of interaction” that extends beyond the initial site of collaboration into the communities where a partnership seeks to make change.
Open Access
It’s the Basement Stories, not the Belt: Lessons from a community-university knowledge mobilisation collaboration
(UTSe Press, 2011-11-23) Phipps, David; Zanotti, Daniele
Open Access
Knowledge mobilisation builds local research collaborations for social innovation
(2009) Phipps, David; Shapson, Stan
Universities seek to maximise the impact of their research by investing in technology commercialisation services but universities fail to support the various impacts of non-commercial research. This paper describes the experience of York University (Toronto, Canada) in developing the institutional capacity to support knowledge mobilisation to maximise the impacts of research from the social sciences and humanities. York works in partnership with local research users to provide enhanced access to research through dedicated support for research collaborations. Grounded in theories of knowledge transfer and exchange, and illustrated with examples, this paper demonstrates how investments in knowledge mobilisation create value for the institution, researchers, graduate students and research partners.
Open Access
Knowledge Mobilization and Social Innovation are Integral Components of Innovation Strategies to Leverage Investments in Higher Education
(2012-06-02) Phipps, David; Provencal, Johanne; Nichols, Naomi; Hewitt, Allyson
This knowledge synthesis examines how investments in higher education research and development can be leveraged through social innovation and knowledge mobilization as integral components of innovation strategies that strengthen industry, governments, community organizations, and members of the public as professionals and citizens. The authors provide an overview of an emerging literature on social innovation, drawing in part on the literature on the social economy and social enterprise, evolving understandings of innovation, and social innovation as an ecosystem that can create economic and social value. Discussed in some detail is the key role of knowledge mobilization between universities and other sectors to facilitate social innovation, the importance of collaboration among sectors with a focus on community-campus collaborations, and considerations for research, policy and practice. The authors close by briefly presenting conclusions and recommendations for leveraging investment in higher education through knowledge mobilization and social innovation as part of Canada’s innovation strategies.
Open Access
Knowledge Mobilization, Collaboration, and Social Innovation: Leveraging Investments in Higher Education
(Canadian Journal of Nonprofit and Social Economy Research, 2013-06) Nichols, Naomi; Phipps, David; Hewitt, Allyson; Provencal, Johanne
This article is a qualitative literature synthesis in the areas of community-campus collaborations, knowledge mobilization and social innovation. The article aims to be useful to people who work in academic settings, community organizations, public institutions, and government. The authors utilized a purposive sampling methodology to explore the following questions: 1. How can university-based knowledge mobilization leverage investments in higher education research and development (R&D) through community-campus collaboration and social innovation? 2. What is the role of university-wide knowledge mobilization projects in supporting community-campus connections and ultimately social innovation strategies that contribute to the public good? Our review indicates considerable interplay between community-campus collaborations, knowledge mobilization and social innovation given that knowledge mobilization facilitates – and is facilitated by – collaboration. With sufficient knowledge mobilization, community-campus collaborations stimulate social innovation. The article concludes with recommendations based on our review of the literature.
Open Access
Knowledge Translation and Strategic Communications: Unpacking Differences and Similarities for Scholarly and Research Communications
(CCSP Press, 2014-11-12) Barwick, Melanie; Phipps, David; Coriandoli, Rossana; Johnny, Michael; Myers, Gary
Knowledge translation (KT) involves communication of research evidence. Within research-relevant organizations there is considerable overlap in the roles and activities associated with KT and strategic communications (SC), which calls for greater role clarity. We untangle the differences and similarities between KT and SC, bringing clarity that may benefit organizations employing both types of workers. As KT practitioners (KTPs) take hold in organizations that have long had SC personnel, there is tension but also opportunities for defining roles and exploring synergies. What follows is a description of how we have explored this duality within our networks and an analysis of how SC and KT roles are similar and divergent.
Open Access
Lessons learned from knowledge mobilisation: turning research into action
(The Association of Commonwealth Universities, 09-Jun) Zanotti, Daniele; Johnny, Michael; Phipps, David
Open Access
Planting the Seeds for Change: A Case Study from York University’s Knowledge Mobilization Graduate Student Internship Program
(Journal of Community Engagement and Scholarship (JCES), 2014-09-25) Nichols, Naomi; Phipps, David; Johnstone, Walter
September 25th, 2014 | Posted in JCES Vol. 7 No. 2 | No Comments » This practice-based article describes the academic and non-academic outputs and outcomes of community-academic research collaboration. The collaboration began with a university-sponsored knowledge mobilization internship. A doctoral student spent four months as a knowledge mobilization intern with a youth shelter. With additional funding, the internship evolved into a multi-year collaboration that positively influenced employment opportunities for local youth workers, the shelter’s economic stability and reputation in the local community, young people’s sustained transitions out of the shelter, and academic growth and development on the part of the doctoral student.
Open Access
Qualities of knowledge brokers: reflections from practice
(Policy Press, 2013-05) Phipps, David; Morton, Sarah
Employing knowledge brokers is one way that universities and research centres have responded to the increasing emphasis on the wider usefulness and uptake of research beyond the academy. While there is an increase in the numbers of such professionals, there has been little focus on their roles, skills and development. In this paper, two knowledge exchange directors from Canada and the United Kingdom reflect on their combined experiences of being, developing and employing knowledge brokers in a range of roles.
Open Access
Revealing the complexity of community campus interactions
(Canadian Journal of Higher Education, 2014) Nichols, Naomi; Phipps, David; Gaetz, Stephen; Fisher, Alison; Tanguay, Nancy
In this paper, four qualitative case studies capture the complex interplay between the social and structural relations that shape community - academic partnerships. Collaborations begin as relationships among people. They are sustained by institutional structures that recognize and support these relationships. Productive collaborations centralize reciprocity, flexibility, and relationship building between individuals and institutions. Our findings also indicate a synergistic interaction between collaborative processes and outcomes: an equitable process supports the development of mutually beneficial outcomes, and the ability to sustain a collaborative process requires substantive progress towards shared change goals.
Open Access
Science for Society
(International Innvoation, 2015-09-23) Phipps, David; Johnny, Michael; Jensen, Krista
The Government of Canada’s new science, technology & innovation strategy means universities must adopt a fresh approach to complement technology transfer and industry liaison. ResearchImpact-RéseauImpactRecherche, a network of 11 Canadian universities, is working hard to support this new approach through knowledge mobilisation
Open Access
Student internships bridge research to real world problems
(Emerald Group Publishing, 11-Jan) Hynie, Michaela; Jensen, Krista; Johnny, Michael; Wedlock, Jane; Phipps, David
Purpose - The purpose of this paper is to evaluate whether unstructured graduate student research internships conducted in collaboration with community agencies build capacity and knowledge for students and community.
Open Access
The Co-produced Pathway to Impact Describes Knowledge Mobilization Processes
(University of Alabama, 2016-07) Phipps, David; Pepler, Debra; Craig, Wendy; Cummings, Joanne; Cardinal, Shelley
Knowledge mobilization supports research collaborations between university and community partners which can maximize the impacts of research beyond the academy; however, models of knowledge mobilization are complex and create challenges for monitoring research impacts. This inability to sufficiently evaluate is particularly problematic for large collaborative research networks involving multiple partners and research institutions. The Co-produced Pathway to Impact simplifies many of the complex models of knowledge mobilization. It is a logic model based framework for mapping the progress of research -> dissemination -> uptake -> implementation -> impact. This framework is illustrated using collaborative research projects from Promoting Relationships and Eliminating Violence Network (PREVNet), a pan-Canadian community-university network engaging in knowledge mobilization to promote healthy relationships among children and youth and prevent bullying. The Co-produced Pathway to Impact illustrates that research impact occurs when university researchers collaborate with non-academic partners who produce the products, policies, and services that have impacts on the lives of end beneficiaries. Research impact is therefore measured at the level of non-academic partners and identified by surveying research partners to create narrative case studies of research impact.
Open Access
Using research to influence family services and policies: issues and challenges
(Policy Press, 2012-07) Morton, Sarah; Nutley, Sandra; Phipps, David
There is growing national and international interest in the ways that research might influence policy and practice. The 4 articles in the Open Space section of this journal issue discuss how research is used to inform policy and practice development and how this relationship can be enhanced. They build on a dialogue at the Centre for Research on Families and Relationships (CRFR) national conference in November 2011, which considered the impact of social research. This introductory article considers some of the key issues and challenges around using research drawing on presentations made by the authors at the conference. It begins by outlining what research use means and then offers some emerging lessons about how such use can be improved. This is followed by reflections on how these lessons relate to the experiences of 2 units dedicated to improving research use: CRFR (Scotland); and the Knowledge Mobilization (KMb) Unit at York University (Toronto, Canada). Then the contribution of the other 3 articles in this journal issue to understanding the complexities of research use is discussed. Finally, future challenges are considered.

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