Connecting water researchers and end-users: building knowledge mobilization capacity and awareness through a consortium approach. Presented by Elizabeth Shantz at the Canadian Knowledge Mobilization Forum, June 19-20, 2012, Ottawa, Ontario, Canada

1. Connecting water researchers
and end-users:
Building knowledge mobilization capacity
and awareness through a consortium
approach
Elizabeth Shantz
Knowledge Mobilization Officer, CWN

3. LONG TERM Improve water management in Canada for
GOAL environmental, economic & social good
Awareness of implications of research by
SHORT TERM
GOAL end-user community
Identify, engage, and support
researchers and end users to participate
APPROACH
in CWN-brokered and self-brokered
knowledge mobilization
Research Consortia
ACTIVITIES
Knowledge Mobilization Tools
Evaluation
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4. Consortia
• End-user driven research consortia
• Pathogens-in-Groundwater Research Consortium
• Canadian Municipal Water Consortium
• Secure Source Waters Consortium
• Regional Watershed Research Consortium Nodes
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5. Consortia
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6. Consortia
• Lessons learned
• Build KM into the structure of the consortia
• Core program → consortia program
• Interaction and involvement are key
• Provide support and resources
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7. KM Tools
• Advice from end users on facilitating
research partnerships
http://www.cwn-rce.ca/publications/knowledge-
translation/advice-from-research-users-on-facilitating-
research-partnerships/
• KM planning tool
• What is KM and why do it?
• Best practices
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8. KM Research
• KM research
• Knowledge translation challenges and solutions described by researchers.
Shantz, 2012
• Indicators to evaluate impact of knowledge translation and brokering.
Levangie, 2011
• Consortia network mapping study. Dimitrova, 2011.
• Knowledge translation and knowledge brokering tools and strategies
inventory. Jusek, 2011
• Engagement, interpretation and convening functions within intermediary
organizations: organizational approach and capacity. Shantz, 2010
• Organizational structure and functions within intermediary organizations:
A comparative analysis. Goreham Hitchman, 2010
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9. KM Tools and Research
• Lessons learned
• Relationships are key
• Consult and involve end users
• Targeted communication
• “So what” not just “what”
• Evaluate regularly
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10. Evaluation
• Project evaluations
• Written and in person
• Established criteria
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11. Logic model representation of CWN consortia program
Logic model adapted from the University of Wisconsin-Extension logic model:
http://www.uwex.edu/ces/pdande/evaluation/evallogicmodel.html

12. Evaluation
• Longitudinal analysis (under development)
• Qualitative & quantitative data
• Interviews with researchers, end users
• Success stories
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13. Evaluation
• Lessons learned
• Evaluation is difficult but very important
• Qualitative and quantitative methods
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14. Thank you!
Questions?
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