University of Guelph Archives | Research & Innovation

91��ɫ leads pan-Canadian strategy roundtable on knowledge mobilization

muellerm — Fri, 01 Nov 2013 08:00:00 +0000

91��ɫ recently initiated a roundtable discussion on the development of a Pan-Canadian strategy to advance and support knowledge mobilization led by the ��𲹰��貹��-��é��𲹳ܱ��貹��ٸ�𳦳�� (RIR), Canada’s Knowledge Mobilization Network. The discussion was held at the University on Oct.24 and 25.

During the roundtable, members of the 91��ɫ-led RIR Network, which included vice-presidents and research directors of the 10 member Universities across Canada, participated in discussion to support Pan-Canadian knowledge mobilization initiatives and campus-community collaborations that can maximize the economic, social and environmental impacts of research and scholarship.

“91��ɫ was pleased to host this roundtable discussion for the ��𲹰��貹��-��é��𲹳ܱ��貹��ٸ�𳦳�� (RIR) network,” said Robert Haché, 91��ɫ’s vice-president research & innovation. “The key outcomes of the discussion were a renewed commitment to RIR as Canada's Knowledge Mobilization network and support for the development of a Pan-Canadian strategy to advance Knowledge Mobilization initiatives and best practices across the country, as the RIR Network continues to grow its membership.”

The roundtable highlighted the history of the ResearchImpact network, a discussion of the models of knowledge mobilization and successes at RIR universities, a prioritization of the goals for the RIR network, a discussion of the rationale for a Pan-Canadian strategy to support knowledge mobilization and more.

Founded in 2006 by 91��ɫ and the University of Victoria, RIR is committed to developing institutional capacities to support knowledge mobilization by developing and sharing knowledge mobilization best practices, services and tools. In 2010-2011 RIR expanded to include Memorial University of Newfoundland and Labrador, Université du Québec à Montréal, University of Guelph and University of Saskatchewan. In 2013, Kwantlen Polytechnic University, Wilfird Laurier University, Carleton University and l’Université du Montreal also joined.

For more information about the ��𲹰��貹��-��é��𲹳ܱ��貹��ٸ�𳦳�� network, visit the website, or or e-mail info@researchimpact.ca.

The post 91��ɫ leads pan-Canadian strategy roundtable on knowledge mobilization appeared first on Research & Innovation.

Knowledge Mobilization documents best practices for clear language research summaries

muellerm — Tue, 23 Oct 2012 08:00:00 +0000

When it comes to conveying the important research to the broader community, clear language summaries are the best choice, this according to a new article published in the peer-reviewed journal, Scholarly & Research Communications.

�� David Phipps (left), executive director of research & innovation services, and colleagues from 91��ɫ's Knowledge Mobilization Unit (KMb), the group put pen to paper to highlight their experiences in summarizing academic research according to clear language writing and design principles over the past four years and how that practice has made research more accessible to the community.

The article titled, "A Field Note Describing the Development and Dissemination of Clear Language Research Summaries for University-Based Knowledge Mobilization", highlights best practices for the development, evaluation and dissemination of clear language research summaries as tools for research outreach, research communication and knowledge mobilization. It is co-authored by Michael Johnny, manager, 91��ɫ's Knowledge Mobilization Unit, Krista Jensen, knowledge mobilization officer at 91��ɫ and Gary Myers, a community based researcher and author of the KMbeing.com blog.

“Working with our partners and faculty to identify relevant research helps make 91��ɫ's research accessible and useful to our community partners" says Phipps.

91��ɫ piloted institutional knowledge mobilization with the University of Victoria in 2005 under a grant from the Canadian Institutes of Health Research (CIHR) and the Social Sciences & Humanities Research Council of Canada (SSHRC). Since then, 91��ɫ has grown its knowledge mobilization collaboration with the University of Victoria to include the other four ��𲹰��貹��-��é��𲹳ܱ��貹��ٸ�𳦳�� universities: Memorial University of Newfoundland & Labrador, Université du Québec à Montréal, University of Guelph and University of Saskatchewan.

91��ɫ currently has more than 220 clear language research summaries in a series titled ResearchSnapshot, which is published on blog. Working with a cohort of senior undergraduate work study students, the University's KMb Unit produces between 40 to 50 research summaries every summer.

"91��ɫ is proud of the work of our award-winning KMb Unit in connecting researchers and students with community partners for social innovation. As a recognized leader in knowledge mobilization initiatives, 91��ɫ’s work and reputation in this field continues to grow both nationally and internationally,” said Robert Hache, 91��ɫ's vice-president research & innovation. “The article written by David Phipps and his KMb colleagues provides a framework for others interested in learning more about best practices and 91��ɫ’s initiatives in this area.”

"SRC and its readers are very interested in the communication and use of knowledge as mediated by processes such as knowledge mobilization," says Rowland Lorimer, SRC editor and director of the Canadian Centre for Studies in Publishing at Simon Fraser University. "The work of David Phipps and his knowledge mobilization colleagues at 91��ɫ is of growing interest to scholars and research partners who are interested in communicating and using knowledge to benefit Canadians. SRC is pleased they have chose to publish their work with us."

91��ɫ's KMb Unit and the University of Guelph Institute for Community Engaged Scholarship have recently partnered in support of a project funded by the Ontario Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs to produce clear language summaries of research at the University of Guelph. The KMb Unit is also working on clear language research summaries with the Centre for Addiction & Mental Health Evidence Exchange Network and the Knowledge Network for Applied Education & Research, a knowledge mobilization network funded by Ontario's Ministry of Education of which 91��ɫ's Faculty of Education is a partner. With these partnerships in place, 91��ɫ will be hosting over 500 ResearchSnapshot clear language research summaries.

To read the full text of the article, click . To view the ResearchSnapshot for this article, click

Republished courtesy of YFile– 91��ɫ’s daily e-bulletin to research stories on the research website.

The post Knowledge Mobilization documents best practices for clear language research summaries appeared first on Research & Innovation.

David Phipps and 91��ɫ's KMb Unit named Canada's biggest influencers

fmaquito — Wed, 28 Sep 2011 08:00:00 +0000

David Phipps, director of 91��ɫ's Research Services and Knowledge Exchange, has been named the most influential knowledge broker in Canada, according to a report by Knowledge Mobilization Works, a consulting and training company based in Ottawa.

The Canadian Knowledge Mobilization 100, a survey run by , asked respondents to rank the biggest influences of their knowledge mobilization practice. Phipps, who leads 91��ɫ’s Knowledge Mobilization Unit and , Canada’s knowledge mobilization network, topped the list.

Left: David Phipps

Also mentioned among the top influencers in Canada were Peter Levesque (Knowledge Mobilization Works), Melanie Barwick (Hospital for Sick Children), Ben Levin (Ontario Institute for Studies in Education) and Gary Myers (KMbeing.com). The survey collected responses from Jan. 5 to June 15, and results were released by Knowledge Mobilization Works on Monday.

“Knowledge mobilization is a key element of 91��ɫ’s research outreach strategy,” said Robert Haché, 91��ɫ’s vice-president research & innovation. “Through David’s efforts and leadership, 91��ɫ’s excellent reputation as a leading knowledge mobilization university in Canada continues to be strengthened. This recognition by his peers is well deserved.”

91��ɫ piloted institutional knowledge mobilization in 2005 under a grant from the Canadian Institutes of Health Research and the Social Sciences and Humanities Research Council of Canada. Since then, 91��ɫ has grown its knowledge mobilization collaboration with the University of Victoria to include the other four ��𲹰��貹��-��é��𲹳ܱ��貹��ٸ�𳦳�� universities: Memorial University of Newfoundland & Labrador, Université du Québec à Montréal, University of Guelph and University of Saskatchewan. 91��ɫ also works closely with the United Way of 91��ɫ Region to deliver knowledge mobilization services to the 91��ɫ Region community, municipal and regional agencies.

Knowledge mobilization is a suite of services that connect university research and expertise to government and community agencies so that research can help these organizations make better informed decisions about public policy and social services. Knowledge mobilization is a process that results in social innovation.

“Knowledge mobilization has become very important for Canada,” said Steven Gaetz, professor in the Faculty of Education who leads both the and the . “David’s work and that of the knowledge mobilization unit is very helpful to those of us seeking to make research accessible to policy makers.”

Levesque, president and CEO of Knowledge Mobilization Works, undertook the survey to obtain a snapshot of who people see as influential in their knowledge mobilization practice in Canada.

“We think that knowledge mobilization as a concept and as a practice is growing. We think that we have barely scratched the surface of understanding what influences knowledge mobilization practice,” said Levesque.

Founded in January 2007, Knowledge Mobilization Works supports individuals and organizations to create incentives and infrastructure for knowledge mobilization.

For more information on 91��ɫ’s Knowledge Mobilization Unit contact , manager, Knowledge Mobilization at ext. 88876.

To view the results of the survey, visit .

The post David Phipps and 91��ɫ's KMb Unit named Canada's biggest influencers appeared first on Research & Innovation.

91��ɫ-led report shows homeless youths most often victims of crime, particularly young women

fmaquito — Mon, 27 Sep 2010 08:00:00 +0000

Study co-authored by Professor Stephen Gaetz, who leads SSHRC-funded homelessness project

Homeless young people are victims of crime at rates that society would consider unacceptable for any other group, according to a new report by researchers at 91��ɫ and the University of Guelph.

The report, , highlights the degree to which it is street youth themselves − often perceived as delinquent and dangerous − who are vulnerable to crime and violence.

“The very people we are taught to fear are the ones who are most at risk,” said Professor (right), associate dean of research and field development in 91��ɫ’s . ”More than 76 per cent of the homeless youth we surveyed said they had been victims of violent crime in the past year, and almost three-quarters of them reported multiple incidents.”

In comparison, about 40 per cent of young people in the general population reported that they had been victimized in the previous year, when the last asked them about it in 1999 − and they experienced mostly property crime.

Gaetz and University of Guelph Professor interviewed 244 homeless youths across Toronto last year about life on the streets. Their report was commissioned by , a not-for-profit legal aid clinic that operates a Street Youth Legal Services program, providing legal advice and support to homeless youth in Toronto.

The solution to problems youth face on the streets lies in changing the way youth homelessness is addressed, according to the report. It calls for a balanced response that, instead of relying mostly on emergency services, would balance preventive measures, an emergency response, and transitional support to move young people out of homelessness quickly.

Above: A homeless youth keeps dry under a bridge in downtown Toronto. Photo: Wikimedia Commons.

In the interviews, conducted at agencies serving youth in downtown Toronto and the suburbs:

female street youth were more likely than males to report being victims of crime (85.9 per cent compared to 71.8 per cent).
38.2 per cent of the female street youth reported being victims of sexual assault. Reports of sexual assault were higher among black females (47 per cent) than white females (33 per cent).
60 per cent of lesbian and bisexual females reported that they had been sexually assaulted in the past year, making them perhaps the most victimized group among street youth.
young homeless women reported extremely high levels of violence and abuse from their intimate partners.
youths who had become homeless at a young age (16 or 17) were much more likely to have been violently victimized than young people who became homeless later.
only 20 per cent of all respondents said they had alerted police about their victimization.

Much has changed since Gaetz first wrote a report on homeless youth in Toronto, also for Justice for Children and Youth, seven years ago. The and non-profit agencies have improved services, and the City has expanded its Streets to Homes program to move youth into housing. Street Youth Legal Services, a program of Justice for Children and Youth, has expanded its capacity to support young people with their legal and justice issues.

However, the report concludes federal, provincial and municipal governments should be addressing youth homelessness with an integrated strategy that includes: an adequate supply of supported, affordable housing for young people; efforts by health and mental health sectors, corrections and child welfare services to ensure their practices do not contribute to homelessness; crisis intervention and family mediation to help young people remain housed; and transitional approaches with income, social and health care supports for young people.

“Many people, including policy makers, believe that youth homelessness and crime are linked, and they use laws such as the Safe Streets Act to ‘move along’ young people,” said Gaetz. “In fact, our findings show that young homeless people are among the most victimized people in our society, and they need our protection.”

Gaetz leads the (CHRN), which enhances the impact of homelessness research on homelessness and the housing crisis by increasing collaboration and discussion among researchers, policy-makers and community workers. One of Canada’s leading experts on homelessness, Gaetz also created the – the world’s first digital hub to mobilize homelessness research – to support collaboration, knowledge exchange, and public engagement among regional and clustered research networks. CHRN, , received $2.1 million through the strategic knowledge clusters program.

By Janice Walls, media relations coordinator. Republished courtesy of YFile – 91��ɫ’s daily e-bulletin.

The post 91��ɫ-led report shows homeless youths most often victims of crime, particularly young women appeared first on Research & Innovation.