What is Knowledge Mobilization?

Background:

Knowledge Mobilization as a concept, was introduced in Canada in 2001-2002 by the Social Sciences and Humanities Research Council of Canada (SSHRC) under the leadership of Dr. Marc Renaud, with Vice-President, Pamela Wiggin. Peter Levesque, held the position of Deputy-Director of Knowledge Products and Mobilization for the period between 2002 and 2006.

The definition of mobilization was taken from the French conceptualization - mobilisation - making ready for service or action.

It was felt at the time (rather than supported by evidence) that the ability to use much of what was produced in the social sciences and humanities was hindered by the conceptual and physical inaccessibility of the "production" of this sector.

A set of initiatives were launched with the explicit intention of improving the conditions for uptake and utilization. One specific example was the knowledge mobilization efforts that were focused on the projects funded by the Initiative on the New Economy.

KMbW’s Founding Perspective

Never in human history have we hunted for so much data, information and knowledge.

Never in human history have we gathered so much that is useful but not used.

This is true for all types of human activity: raising children, buying food, designing products, disposing of waste, caring for the sick, governing resources, creating art.

Peter Levesque, based on his work of the past decade, suggests that knowledge mobilization is led from the middle and for the purpose. The issues of power and control are central - especially in an institutional setting.

Since leaving both Federal and Provincial agencies, he focuses his work on specific purposeful projects that consider not only the content, which is important, but argues that perhaps more important are considerations of context, capacity, and a culture that supports the use, sharing, and co-creation of knowledge(s), in its many forms.

Knowledge Mobilization is a complex and emergent process that focuses on making what we know ready for action to produce value.

Production of Value

Value is always created in exchange. Exchange can be in multiple forms that depend on context, capacity of individuals and organizations, the accessibility of content, and the culture that supports exchange and value production.

Some core questions include:

How do we integrate multiple sources of data, information and knowledge into our daily activities, whether they be consumer decisions, or high-level policy decisions?

How do we, collectively and individually, move from making decisions based mostly on opinion to making decisions based on individual as well as collective understanding?

How do we move from holding on to what we know rather than sharing it and acting on it in ways that are mutually beneficial?

Having the most credible evidence available to us in a timely fashion, in a format that we can use, is critical to the change from simply knowing to doing - and doing the best we can.

“Knowledge to Practice” Gap

Knowledge mobilization has arisen from an equally complex knowledge production process that has failed to consistently move the most credible evidence from practice and research into improved outcomes. It also refers to activities that create and support the conditions and culture that lead to effective (and when possible, efficient) access, implementation, utilization, and evaluation of the most credible evidence for improved outcomes from the decisions we take.

R/Evolution of Expertise

It is also a result of the “information revolution” in which the “expert” is no longer the dominant source of knowledge. The increased competition between sources of information has led to heightened confusion and anxiety, as to what is the “best” method of ensuring positive outcomes for the decisions we take.

To say that something is complex is descriptive. To work on addressing this complexity and recommend sound directions that result in improved outcomes is constructive.

Push and Pull

Knowledge Mobilization includes the push and pull found in the multiple directional movement of data, information, and knowledge between individuals and groups for mutual benefit. Particular consideration is given to the formats best received by various audiences. It also includes mechanisms that determine current and ongoing needs, as well as the timeliness of these needs. The roles of producer and user of knowledge are interchangeable. (Example: university researchers are frequent users of other’s output, schools produce databases which are then used by university researchers)

Linkage and Exchange

Knowledge Mobilization also includes active processes of creating linkages and exchanges between producers and users of data, information, and knowledge to engage in value-added activities. It includes a more entrepreneurial perspective than is often seen in disciplinary academic research (Example: the “final report” becomes the mid-point of the discussion) and includes awareness of opportunities, key partnerships, market conditions, technological supports, and concepts of innovation.