Panelists announced for knowledge translation session at 2011 CSPC

Dr. Katrina Hitchman, Manager of Strategic Programs at the Canadian Water Network, has been selected as a panel member at the 2011 Canadian Science Policy Conference in Ottawa, which runs from November 16–18.

The panel session, to be held November 17 from 10:30 a.m. to 12:00 p.m., will explore K* and its role in strengthening science–policy integration. 

It is one of several discussions under the theme of Major Issues in Canadian Science Policy.

K* or Kstar — a coined term used to capture the universe of knowledge activities that encompasses —

• knowledge translation (KT)
• knowledge brokering (KB)
• knowledge mobilization (KMb)
• knowledge transfer and exchange (KTE)
• knowledge management (KM)
• as well as knowledge integration, exchange, adaptation, contextualization, adoption, transmission, dissemination, generation, application and synthesis

The Role of K* in Strengthening Science—Policy Integration will be convened by Dr. Alex T. Bielak, Senior Fellow and Knowledge Broker, United Nations University, and Shannon deGraff, Senior Science Policy Analyst, Environment Canada.

The fast-paced and interactive session will begin with short presentations by each panelist, followed by two sets of roundtable discussions with participants and each of the panelists, followed by a short wrap-up segment.

Panelists: The Role of K* in Strengthening Science–Policy Integration

Jason Blackstock, PhD
Senior Fellow CIGI & Research Scholar, IIASA Austria
With a unique background in physics, technology and international affairs, Dr. Blackstock is a leading international policy adviser and scholar on both emerging geoengineering technologies, and the interface between science and global governance institutions. A physicist by training (PhD) and trade (PPhys), as well as a graduate of the Harvard Kennedy School (MPA), Jason is the Senior Fellow for Energy and the Environment at CIGI (the Centre for International Governance Innovation, Canada) and a Research Scholar at IIASA (the International Institute for Applied Systems Analysis, Austria), where he leads several international research projects evaluating the scientific, political and global governance implications of climate change, energy transitions, and emerging geoengineering technologies. Jason has also been elected Associate Fellow of the World Academy of Arts and Science, and is an adjunct member of faculty at the University of Waterloo’s Institute for Sustainable Energy.

Amanda Cooper
KNAER Program Manager, Research & Knowledge Mobilization and RSPE Research & Program Coordinator
Amanda Cooper specializes in research-practice-policy relationships. Her interests professionally and academically revolve around improving research use in public services. Currently, she is managing the Knowledge Network for Applied Education Research, an ambitious effort to improve knowledge mobilization in education across Ontario. Amanda has also been the coordinator for the Research Supporting Practice in Education program at OISE, since its inception in 2007. There is growing awareness that research mediation by intermediary organizations is integral to knowledge mobilization. Amanda’s doctoral research analyzes efforts made by 44 knowledge mobilization intermediaries (third party, research brokering organizations) that facilitate linkages between research producing contexts and research using contexts to increase research use and its impact in education across Canada. She provides talks, workshops and consulting on knowledge mobilization for researchers, practitioners, policymakers, intermediaries and other organizations across sectors.

Katrina Hitchman, PhD
Manager of Strategic Programs, Canadian Water Network
After finishing her Honours Bachelor of Arts degree at Mount Allison University, Dr. Hitchman completed her master’s and PhD degrees in Industrial and Organizational Psychology at the University of Waterloo.

She joined the Canadian Water Network in February 2009 to assist in the development and management of CWN partnership-based programs, particularly the evolving research consortia. Katrina conducted a comparative organizational analysis examining the organizational structure and functions of Canadian and international organizations that share CWN’s mandate of using research to inform practice and policy. As CWN continues to explore consortia-based models for putting its research to work, she will focus on the development of knowledge translation tools for researchers and research users, evaluating the success of CWN programs, and pursing opportunities to enhance CWN’s profile as a leading knowledge translation and brokering organization.

David Phipps, PhD
Director, Research Services & Knowledge Exchange, York University/ResearchImpact
Dr. Phipps is responsible for the management and support of research services (research grants and contracts, research ethics, technology and knowledge transfer) at York University; participates in strategic planning; negotiates research contracts and grants, manages research data and develops research performance measurements; ensures compliance with government policies and the University mandate.

Louise Shaxson
Senior Research Fellow, RAPID Overseas Development Institute (UK)& Associate, Delta Partnership
Louise is a senior research fellow at the Overseas Development Institute, UK’s leading think tank on international development; and an associate of Delta Partnership, an international management consultancy company based in London. Her particular area of interest is evidence-based policymaking and the links between knowledge and policy.

She has authored and provided guidance on the provision of expert scientific advice to senior policy officials, what constitutes robust evidence for policy making, advised on horizon scanning projects and has published several journal articles and book chapters relating to evidence-based policy making. She has co-authored a forthcoming book — Knowledge, policy and power in international development: A practical guide — that will be published in 2012 by The Policy Press/University of Chicago Press.

Over the past few years, Louise became acquainted with a group of Canadians who shared her interested in evidence-based policy and, in particular, knowledge translation and brokering. Most recently, she was involved with CSPC where she gave a presentation on the distribution of responsibility in policy delivery and relating issues at the Canadian Science Policy Conference in Montreal last October.

Details on the K* session

Knowledge translation and brokering (KT/KB) are part of an increasingly recognized spectrum of knowledge transfer approaches that can contribute significantly to strengthened science–policy integration.

The K* concept was first discussed at the 2010 Canadian Science Policy Conference in Montreal and encapsulates the variety of terms used by practitioners in this field, including knowledge translation, brokering, management, mobilization, transfer and adoption.

These K* approaches recognize the need for active engagement across the science–policy spectrum, and for careful consideration of users’ information needs, preferred format, time frame and communication mechanisms.

K* approaches are increasingly being adopted in a variety of fields, including health, environmental sustainability, education, agriculture and international development.

Building on the successful one-day KT-KB workshop held during 2010 CSPC, this year’s panel will engage the broader CSPC community and —

• Provide insight into this active, emerging field
• Showcase practical and tangible examples of the value and power of KT-KB and other K* approaches in Canada and internationally
• Develop the theme of demonstrating the impacts of knowledge mobilization activities
• Be a waypoint for the first international K* Summit in 2012, and subsequent development of a multi-sectoral forum and white paper for K* issues nationally and internationally

For more information about the 2011 CSPC, please visit the conference’s agenda page.