Relevant to: Research, Policy or Practice
Sector: Cross-sectoral
Type: Model

In this paper Ward establishes an overarching, practical framework of knowledge mobilisaiton, to help knowledge mobilisers identify and clarify their role, situate themselves and their work in relation to the diverse and contested definitions of knowledge mobilisation, navigate their way through the fragmented literature and identify models which may be helpful to them. The framework is based on examination of 47 models of knowledge mobilisation identified through a literature search. The framework uses four questions around knowledge mobilisaiton to categorise each model:

• Why is knowledge being mobilised (with 5 sub-categories)?
• Whose knowledge is being mobilised (with 5 sub-categories)??
• What type of knowledge is being mobilised (with 5 sub-categories)??
• How is knowledge being mobilised (with 3 sub-categories)?

Ward emphasises that the framework is not an overarching ‘typology’ of knowledge mobilisation, but is a tool to assist understanding of different approaches. She points out that by asking these four questions, knowledge mobilisers can gain valuable insight into their intrinsic motivations, as well as a pointer to relevant literature and methods. The framework is likely to be of interest to anyone seeking to engage in knowledge mobilisation, be they working in research, policy or practice.

This article was developed from the following research paper:
Ward, V (2017) Why, whose, what and how? A framework for knowledge mobilisers. Evidence and Policy. Vol 12 (3) pp.477-497 (21) – Open access journal

Related Papers:
Ward, V, House, A, Hamer, S, (2009), Developing a framework for transferring knowledge into action: A thematic analysis of the literature. Health Services Research and Policy, 14: 156–64.

Ward, V, Smith, S, House, A, Hamer, S (2012) Exploring knowledge exchange: A useful framework for practice and policy. Social Science and Medicine, 7: 297–304.