Knowledge Mobilization

At the University of Regina, knowledge mobilization is understood as a comprehensive approach to the creation, dissemination, and application of research findings. This includes synthesizing diverse information sources, actively distributing insights, facilitating reciprocal knowledge exchanges, and collaboratively generating knowledge with stakeholders. We emphasize partnerships between knowledge users and researchers throughout the research process to ensure relevance and applicability. Furthermore, we encourage that post-research findings are strategically communicated to relevant audiences, including potential avenues for the commercialization of scientific discoveries. This holistic approach ensures that our research not only furthers academic understanding but also yields tangible impacts for the broader community. 

SSHRC’s Definition of Knowledge Mobilization 

Knowledge mobilization is an umbrella term encompassing a wide range of activities relating to the production and use of research results, including knowledge synthesis, dissemination, transfer, exchange, and co-creation or co-production by researchers and knowledge users. 

CIHR's Definition of Integrated Knowledge Translation 

Integrated Knowledge Translation (iKT) is an approach to doing research that applies the principles of knowledge translation to the entire research process. The central premise of iKT is that involving knowledge users as equal partners alongside researchers will lead to research that is more relevant to, and more likely to be useful to, the knowledge users. Each stage in the research process is an opportunity for significant collaboration with knowledge users, including the development or refinement of the research questions, selection of the methodology, data collection and tools development, selection of outcome measures, interpretation of the findings, crafting of the message and dissemination of the results. 

CIHR's End-of-Grant Knowledge Translation 

With end-of-grant KT, the researcher develops and implements a plan for making potential knowledge-user audiences aware of the knowledge that is gained during a project. End-of-grant KT can involve more intensive dissemination activities that tailor the message and medium to a specific audience and, even further along the spectrum, can involve moving research into practice For example, the results of a knowledge synthesis can often lead to actionable messages that can then be communicated to the relevant audience. The commercialization of scientific discoveries is another form of end-of-grant KT.