Overview
Key words: Research-to-practice; Knowledge Transfer
Timeline: June 8-9, 2010
Presenters: Centre of Research Expertise for the Prevention of Musculoskeletal Disorders (CRE-MSD)
Funder: CRE-MSD
Project type: Workshop
Partners: Queen's University
Sector/workplace type: All
Theme:
Theme
5
Implementation
Background/rationale
CRE-MSD lab research has the ultimate goal of improving and enhancing lives and work in industry. It is thus important to establish strong partnerships with industry.
Goals and process
The purpose of this research retreat was to give researchers, students, government and industry representatives a chance to renew and establish research partnerships as well as discuss the preparation of a Workplace Safety and Insurance Board (WSIB) grant proposal. 40 researchers and their students attended a panel discussion and several presentations outlining the different challenges of research work and collaborating with industry partners.
Summary
The key findings of this retreat were:
- Building a relationship is time consuming but essential
- Use this time to define roles and expectations
- You need to find a “passionate partner” amongst the stakeholders who can keep the impetus of the workplace research going
- There is a wide range of methodologies for workplace health research which determines the research question, the intervention and the data collection
- You need to be flexible and responsive to the stakeholders’ needs
- Health and safety associations can be very helpful
- There is a difference between the need for “practical solutions” vs. research
- Young researchers need to make sure that the research you do will enhance your academic career, especially if you are up for tenure
Implications for the prevention of MSDs
Strengthening the bonds between researchers and industry members will greatly facilitate the transition of intervention strategies from research to practice.
Knowledge dissemination
For full summary see the 2010 Research Retreat event page.