The research team studies knowledge translation (KT), the process of translating knowledge into action. They conduct studies to advance KT science and improve practices. Challenges include better understanding effective KT mechanisms and evaluating initiatives that facilitate interactions between researchers and knowledge users. The team develops KT evaluation frameworks, assesses various strategies, builds capacity through training and resources, and creates knowledge brokering platforms to support evidence-informed practices.

1. Research on knowledge
translation and mobilization
CHALLENGES TO BE MET
Christian Dagenais, Ph.D
Esther Mc Sween-Cadieux, Ph.D
Canadian KMb Forum
November 24th 2020

2. www.equiperenard.org
research team in partnership
to learn more about our work

3. RESEARCH SUBJECT
Knowledge translation
applied to the field of
social interventions
KT is an umbrella term
that encompasses efforts
to translate knowledge
into action, ranging from
knowledge synthesis,
dissemination, exchange
and implementation
EDUCATION
COMMUNITY
HEALTH
OCCUPATIONAL
HEALTH AND
SAFETY
PUBLIC
ADMINISTRATION
PUBLIC HEALTH
PSYCHOSOCIAL
INTERVENTION
HEALTH AND
SOCIAL SERVICES
FIELDS OF ACTION
(Adapted from FRQ & CIHR)

4. 12
12
20
10
3
Graduate students
KT practitioners
researchers
Staff
Collaborators
from organizations
strongly involved in TC
from 8 universities
Coordinator & research
professional
Information specialist
Librarian

5. ADVANCING KT SCIENCE IMPROVING KT PRACTICES
conduct different studies for address our partners' needs for
DOUBLE CHALLENGE
of the RENARD team

6. Assesment of
KT process
Assessment of KT
strategies' effects
Methodological
development
Capacity
building in KT
Transdisciplinarity
Active
participation
of partners
Context-
sensitive
approach
OUR GUIDING PRINCIPLES

7. Madagascar
Uganda
Democratic
republic of CongoBrazil
Colombia
Quebec
France
Niger
Benin
Burkina Faso
Senegal
MaliHaiti

8. What progress has been made?
Broader understanding of what types of evidence might be of use
Importance of including different stakeholders in knowledge
production and use : co-production and shared decision-making
Improvement on research-practice-policy linkages : more demand
for evidence, intermediary bodies, capacity building initiatives...
Advances in our understanding of effective mechanisms of change

9. 3
ongoing challenges
we want to address in
the coming years...

10. Identify mechanisms leading to effective
knowledge translation and mobilisation
Still little effectiveness evaluation = methodological challenges
Capture the complexity of the process and the different types of
impacts : What works, for whom, in what circumstances and why?
Describe and identify the intervention logic of KT strategies for
more reproducibility and comparison
1
(Boaz, Davies, Fraser & Nutley, 2019)

11. General methodological development
Research projects to evaluate different
KT strategies implemented by our partners
WHAT WE DO?
Development, validation and experimentation of an
evaluation-focused framework adapted to KT strategies

12. Rational-linear
models
Relational
approaches
Systems-wide
approaches
TRANSFER EXCHANGE MOBILIZATION
Create an evidence eco-system
(Best & Holmes, 2010 ; Powell et al. 2017,2018; Boaz & Nutley, 2019)
2
3 waves of knowledge-to-action thinking
Further evaluate initiatives that facilitate researcher-
user interactions and knowledge brokering

13. Rational-linear
models
Relational
approaches
Systems-wide
approaches
TRANSFER EXCHANGE MOBILIZATION
Create an evidence eco-system
(Best & Holmes, 2010 ; Powell et al. 2017,2018; Boaz & Nutley, 2019)
2
3 waves of knowledge-to-action thinking
Still a prevalence of push strategies focused on
research dissemination (passive approaches)
Further evaluate initiatives that facilitate researcher-
user interactions and knowledge brokering

14. Rational-linear
models
Promising but still little evidence on effectiveness of
interaction mechanisms (coproduction, integrated
KT) and knowledge brokering mechanisms
Relational
approaches
Systems-wide
approaches
TRANSFER EXCHANGE MOBILIZATION
Create an evidence eco-system
(Best & Holmes, 2010 ; Powell et al. 2017,2018; Boaz & Nutley, 2019)
2
Further evaluate initiatives that facilitate researcher-
user interactions and knowledge brokering

15. CISSS
Abitibi-
Témiscamingue
CISSS
Bas Saint-
Laurent
CISSS
Chaudière-
Appalaches
CISSS
Gaspésie
CIUSSS
Saguenay
Lac Saint-
Jean
Université
du Québec
à Rimouski
Université du
Québec à
Chicoutimi
Université du
Québec en
Abitibi-
Témiscamingue
OBJECTIVES OF
THIS KB PLATFORM
Consolidate access to
the best knowledge
Improve knowledge
brokering skills
Implement knowledge
translation activities
Online Knowledge
Management Portal
Training workshops and
community of practice
guidance and support to
health care institutions
*Integrated (University) Health and Social Services Centres (CI(U)SSS)

16. Evaluation of
brokering skills
development
activities
Evaluation of
the Consortium's
governance
structure
Assessing impact
of knowledge
translation
activities
A research project to evaluate
implementation and impact of
the InterS4 Consortium
WHAT WE DO?

17. Building capacity in order that KT practices
are based on best evidence available
As promoters of evidence-informed policy and
practice, are our KT approaches evidence-informed?!
KT
2
As KT researchers, we need to continue "advocacy
efforts", and contribute to capacity building in KT
through training, raising awareness, dissemination
of best evidence on KT, etc
3
Powell et al., 2017 ; Newman, De Forge, Van Eerd et al., 2020)

18. Evidence synthesis on KT
Knowledge management : repository of KT
publications in Zotero software with an alert system
Dissemination of our work and KT latest
developments via a newsletter and social media
Development of a series of online courses (MOOC)
and mentoring/technical support for teams
WHAT WE DO?

19. MOOC
1
Introduction to
knowledge translation
Preparation of a KT
tool : policy brief
The function of
knowledge brokering
modules
2 3
8
hours
20
modules
5
hours
12
modules
6
hours
15
To come in 2021!
French to English
soon in 2021
GLOBAL REACH TRANSLATION
almost 1500 learners
in less than 6 months

20. 1 2 3
Build capacity in order
that KT practices are
based on best evidence
available
Further evaluate initiatives
that facilitate researcher-
user interactions and
knowledge brokering
Identify mechanisms
leading to effective
knowledge translation and
mobilisation
Évaluer davantage les
modalités misant sur les
interactions le courtage de
connaissances
Identifier les mécanismes
menant à l’efficacité du
transfert et de la
mobilisation
Renforcer les capacités
pour que les pratiques de
TC s’appuient sur les
avancées de la recherche

21. Do you see other challenges
for the coming years?