Kathleen Bloom, PhD – University of Waterloo
Knowledge Impact Strategies Consulting Ltd
Abstract
Sufficient research has been accumulated over the past decades to improve decision making in government, industry, social, and health services. However, links between research synthesis and policy and practice remain weak. A demand for knowledge mobilization services is emerging.
To make already-existing research useful and useable, it must be gathered, weighed, and synthesized using trustworthy, transparent, and systematic methods. Most students trained in scientific methods can do this work. They must be trained, in addition, to deliver research knowledge that was synthesized, not because researchers wanted decision makers to know (push), but because decision makers asked to know (pull).
I will describe the nature of the emerging field of knowledge synthesis, employment opportunities, and how this field differs from typical science promotion. Then we will debate how graduate training can be provided that allows science students to compete for jobs in knowledge synthesis.
