What is knowledge mobilization?

Knowledge mobilization is all about doing more with what we know — particularly, doing more with our research. This might be done by working closely with your community partners throughout the research process to ask questions and approach the research in a manner that is relevant and respectful to them. It might be done by using different modes and strategies of communication that are tailored and accessible to your community. There is a whole body of literature, including principles, models, and frameworks that explore how researchers can best create research impact. Knowledge mobilization is also referred to by other terms such as knowledge translation, implementation and dissemination, knowledge transfer and exchange, and science communication, to name a few.

SFU Knowledge Mobilization

SFU is well known for community engagement, and increasingly, for the positive impact of SFU research as well. For example, SFU ranked number one globally for its impact on sustainable cities and communities according to Times Higher Education’s (THE) 2020 University Impact Rankings.

The recently launched SFU Knowledge Mobilization Hub provides support to further SFU’s research impact through consultations, training, and celebrating SFU researchers. You can reach out to us now for consultations on writing the knowledge mobilization section of proposals, support developing project outputs, and much more. Training and celebrating activities are coming soon — we will be hosting workshops and lunch & learns on the principles and skills of knowledge mobilization beginning fall 2020 (stay tuned!).

Learning resources

Do you want to learn more about knowledge mobilization while you are home helping to flatten the COVID-19 curve? Here is our curated list of virtual webinars and courses to get you started:

• Introducing knowledge mobilization for grant application writing: Supporting Research Impact in Grant Applications – a recorded 1 hour webinar presented by David Phipps hosted on Research Impact
• Introduction to implementation: Inspiring change: Creating impact with evidence-based implementation – a free course with 1.5 hours of content hosted by The Centre for Implementation, time limited access
• Getting started with producing accessible research outputs: Clear Language Communications and Knowledge Mobilization – a recorded 1 hour webinar hosted by York and Memorial Universities
• Introduction to using social media for academics: Social Media Strategies for Research – a recorded 1 hour webinar hosted by Research Impact
• If you prefer reading blog posts see: Knowledge Nudge – a bi-weekly blog series on all things Knowledge Translation hosted by the Centre for Healthcare Innovation

Get in touch

Questions about knowledge mobilization? We’d love to hear from you! Contact Lupin Battersby, Knowledge Mobilization Officer at lupin_battersby@sfu.ca.

Originally published by Lupin Battersby