Friday, December 5, 2025

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• Knowledge Mobilization Community of Practice celebrates 5 years of mobilizing Waterloo research

• Waterloo grad wins $50k scholarship in memory of December 6 victims

• Employees were honoured for years of service

• Notes as exams begin

Knowledge Mobilization Community of Practice celebrates 5 years of mobilizing Waterloo research

Image credit: Nitya Wakhlu, Graphic illustration, October 2015, used by special permission.

By Nadine Quehl.

Did you know that it can take between 14 and 17 years for research evidence to change practice? There is a Knowledge Mobilization Community of Practice (KMb CoP) at the University of Waterloo working to reduce this gap and accelerate the time between research generation and its practical application in the world. 

Knowledge Mobilization is the practice of advancing research for the benefit of the public good at the local and/or global scale, linking research to end-users, and ensuring that research addresses real world issues and uptake is maximized. Knowledge mobilization moves beyond the dissemination of research results, to support dialogue and collaboration with end users, and the co-creation of research programs and outputs.  

The Waterloo KMb CoP was launched in 2020, and we have been meeting every second month to talk about all things related to knowledge mobilization / research impact. We strive to create a supportive space where we can discuss our work in knowledge mobilization, including our challenges and successes, and we welcome new members, as we celebrate our 5-year milestone this year!  

Who should consider joining our CoP

• Those who are currently working as knowledge mobilizers who want to learn from others in a similar position
• Those who may not be called knowledge mobilizers but who are using knowledge mobilization tactics to help support the uptake of research outside of the academic community
• Staff who support relationship building with partners outside the University for the purpose of facilitating research impact
• Faculty members, postdoctoral scholars and graduate students who are actively involved in knowledge mobilization and/or studying KMb  

Objectives

As a CoP, we aim to support one another in enhancing job skills and facilitating career development, by: 

• Building networks and relationships with others doing similar jobs; promote new collaborations and connections 
• Promoting knowledge exchange by working across departmental boundaries and sharing ideas  (e.g., share relevant articles / resources) 
• Providing a platform for learning (e.g., sharing best practices, services and tools, developing technical skills, new ways of doing things, etc.)
• Enhancing Waterloo’s institutional capacity to maximize innovation and the impact of its academic research and assess progress 

Upcoming hybrid sessions

• Innovative Tools for Knowledge Mobilization in Civic Education... and Beyond, with Karim Wissa, Director of Institutional Programs; Acting Director of Education & Outreach; Adjunct Professor, Faculty of Health, Waterloo; Co-Director of Theorypractice Lab (January 21, 2026; 1:00 p.m.)
• Engaging with Multiple Knowledge Users: Patients, Physicians and Policymakers, with Jacquelyn Coyne, Project Coordinator, Office of Research, Waterloo Regional Health Network Adjunct Assistant Professor, Waterloo (March 25, 2026; 1:00 p.m.)

If you are a Waterloo staff member, faculty member, postdoctoral scholar or graduate student who is engaged in knowledge mobilization/research impact, and interested in our KMb CoP, you can reach out to Nadine Quehl, Senior Manager, Knowledge Mobilization & Partnerships at nquehl@uwaterloo.ca, to find out how to get involved. 

Waterloo grad wins $50k scholarship in memory of December 6 victims

This article was originally published on the Faculty of Engineering website.

An alumnus of Waterloo Engineering aiming for a career in avionics and national defence has won a $50,000 scholarship to pursue graduate studies.

Megan Chang (BASc ’25, mechatronics engineering) was one of 14 female winners nationwide through a program created to remember the 14 women murdered by a misogynist at École Polytechnique (now Polytechnique Montréal) on December 6, 1989.

Polytechnique Montréal announced the winners this week, awarding 14 scholarships for the first time since its Order of the White Rose program was launched in 2014. Previously, only one $50,000 award was made each year.

"It is important to honour the memory of the women whose lives were cut short in December 1989,” Valérie Bélisle, the vice president of philanthropy and alumni relations, said in a media release. “And it is equally important to look ahead and do our utmost to make sure women studying engineering - the women engineers of the future - can claim their rightful place in Quebec and Canada."

Chang has dreamed of flying planes since childhood and led the Waterloo Space Research Team in microgravity research and development of a student project with the Canadian Space Agency and the National Research Council.

She was also a medal-winning varsity rower, involved with the Women in Engineering Committee and author of a student leadership guide. She plans to do graduate studies in electrical and computer engineering.

The winners were selected by the deans of six Canadian engineering faculties, including Dr. Mary Wells of Waterloo, based on the academic records, technical achievements and “commitment to the common good” of candidates entering master’s or doctoral engineering programs.

Employees were honoured for years of service

On Tuesday, November 25, faculty and staff were celebrated for reaching significant employee milestones at the annual Years of Service event.

370 employees and their managers were invited to the event, which was held at Federation Hall and hosted by President Vivek Goel and Chief Human Resources Officer Michelle Hollis. The event honoured those who have worked at Waterloo for 5, 10, 15, 20, 25, 30, 35, 40, and even 45 years.

“Each of you has helped shape this institution’s story through your dedication, your innovation, and your care for one another and our students,” said President Goel in his opening remarks. “You are the reason why Waterloo is known as a place that thinks differently, acts with purpose, and works together.”

“This year, we are especially proud to recognize six individuals who are marking an extraordinary 45 years of service to the University,” said President Goel, who highlighted them by name:

• Richard Hecktus and Frank Safayeni from the Faculty of Engineering;
• Lorraine Albrecht from the Faculty of Science;
• Carol Olheiser from Co-operative and Experiential Education;
• Janet Bender from the Libraries; and
•  Andrew Cooper of the Faculty of Arts  

“Thank you for your decades of contribution and leadership,” President Goel said. “You have not only advanced your departments and programs but have shaped the very character of this University.” 

President Goel then introduced the new Values video to attendees.

Chief Human Resources Michelle Hollis then paid tribute to each group of milestone employees, highlighting bits of trivia from each of the years, from the COVID pandemic in 2020 (for the 5-year veterans) to the first broadcast of CNN and the opening of Centre in the Square in 1980 (for the 45-year veterans).

Professor Jim Rush, celebrating 25 years at Waterloo, takes a photo with Professor James Skidmore and President Vivek Goel.

Attendees enjoyed hors d’oeuvres and photo walls for colleagues to snap a memorable photo of the occasion.

Notes as exams begin

Flags on campus will be lowered tomorrow in observance of the National Day of Remembrance and Action on Violence Against Women. Sunday also marks the end of the annual 16 Days of Activism Against Gender-based violence campaign.

The retirement open house for Office of Research staff member Leslie Copp runs from 1:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m. today in EC5 2301.

The 37^th annual Winterfest event will take place on Sunday, December 7 at Columbia Icefield. Join your hosts, the University of Waterloo Staff Association, with your family and friends for a fun afternoon of skating, crafts, and treats. Admission is free for UWSA members and their guests, and non-members and their guests will pay $5. Activities include skating, face-painting, balloon artists, a hot chocolate bar, and much more.