Support the UK Knowledge Mobilisation Network?

On Monday I’m submitting a grant application to ask for funding to take the good work onwards and upwards over the next year.

I’m looking for community (non-University) based enthusiasts  who believe we should have the best businesses and services was can, informed by the latest research or evidence.  If that’s you would you like to offer cash or in-kind support in a letter by Monday lunchtime?  For example maybe you could offer your time to join in with network activities and attend the 2 day Forum in 2015.  We need to show we have 50% matched funding contribution to be considered for the grant.

People who offer support will have the chance to get involved at the beginning of the network, meet those others from health, education, social care, local government, international development, universities and more, to exchange ideas and to develop collaborative projects about how we can improve our services and the way evidence is translated, for the benefit of all of us.

If successful we will:

a)      Create a UK KMb Network

1. Create a network of enthusiasts working in, or interested in the field of knowledge mobilisation (KMb). This will create a cohort that can support and challenge each other, to collectively problem solve and potentially to provide inter-group consultancy-style support.
2. Extend the network around the globe by maintaining contacts and collaboration with the Canadian Knowledge Mobilization Forum and community, and to extend that into Australia etc

b)      Create KMb Collaborative spaces

1. Provide open-access interactive collaborative environments for people from diverse backgrounds, geographies and professions to exchange knowledge and work collaboratively.  This will be achieved by establishing and maintaining a variety of collaborative spaces including twitter, telephone conferencing, and HealthLands Patient Partnership Island in SecondLife (SL) hosted by Imperial College.
2. Run the Second UK Knowledge Mobilisation Forum 2015 in Edinburgh for up to 150 people including 20% supported places for unwaged enthusiasts and for students, practitioners and others enthusiasts on low wages.

c)       Create Online KMb resources

1. Create an open-access online KMb resource centre including:

i.      ‘Who’s who?’ in KMb

ii.      Short videos of key KMb topics e.g. history and theory

iii.      KMb in practice:  stories of successes and failures

iv.      Open access certificated e-learning about KMb

v.      Discussion spaces

If you want more information or would like to get involved contact me on 07889 179039 or email me at c.howe@imperial.ac.uk

The UK KMb Network & Forum project will deliver:

• A targeted international network that will provide sustained contact between enthusiasts.  It will stimulate creativity and create opportunities to exchange knowledge and develop collaborative research in order to improve the efficiency and efficacy of public services and to foster organisational resilience and economic growth.
• A cohort of knowledge researchers, professionals, practitioners and interested members of the community which could be used to study transdiciplinary and cross-sectoral aspects of knowledge mobilisation and knowledge brokering.
• Improved skills and expertise regarding the similarities and differences in knowledge mobilisation and exchange across sectors.
• Empowerment of members of the public and the workforce to engage with evidence and to implement evidence into practice.  This will be achieved through the creation of accessible online resources on knowledge exchange and mobilisation.  Increased exploitation of existing research by understanding how to translate it into practice.
• Increased availability of research, experiences and stories about knowledge mobilisation in all sectors through identification, encouragement and support of stories and ideas worthy of publication and/or with research potential.