Claire Lightowler

Reflections of 'Knowledge Exchange Professionals' in the Social Sciences: Emerging Opportunities and Challenges for University-Based Knowledge Brokers

Through reflections on our own experiences, this paper explores one approach to knowledge exchange that appears to be being used increasingly in social sciences in Scottish universities: the employment of dedicated “knowledge exchange professionals” or knowledge brokers. We argue that the ambiguity and hybridity of specialist knowledge exchange roles as they are emerging currently in university social science settings lead to challenges, though also opportunities, at different stages of knowledge exchange appointments. We discuss issues relating to recruitment; management and accountability; recognition and integration; professional support and development; and reward, promotion and career pathways.

Sustaining knowledge exchange and research impact in the social sciences and humanities: investing in knowledge broker roles in UK universities

Over the last decade, higher education policy in the United Kingdom (UK) has increasingly focused on the impact of academic research. This has resulted in the emergence of specialist knowledge brokers within UK universities in the social sciences and humanities. Our empirical research identified a tension between the research impact agenda and the value placed on knowledge brokerage. Based on interviews with knowledge brokers at the University of Edinburgh, we argue that funding models, short-term contracts, and posts combining knowledge brokerage with other functions result in a transient population and a squeeze on knowledge brokerage, which may limit its effectiveness in achieving research impact.

Embedding research into practice through innovation and creativity: a case study from social services

This paper explores ways in which IRISS (Institute for Research and Innovation in Social Services) promotes the delivery of cost effective social services in Scotland that support the achievement of positive outcomes. The approach to evidence-informed practice is characterised as four pillars of activity. The first focuses on improving awareness and access to evidence. The second refers to strengthening the evidence base and is discussed in the context of work on self-directed support. Improving skills and confidence to use evidence forms the third pillar. The final pillar is embedding evidence in organisations, through coproduction, creating spaces to test and challenge evidence, and through the development of evidence-based products.

How practitioner-led research could have greater impact: The importance of considering knowledge mobilisation holistically

Literature about practitioner research focuses on the production of research or building of research capacity, with limited exploration of the wider contribution that practitioner research can make to knowledge mobilisation (KM). This paper draws on findings from a practitioner research project to explore how practitioner research can facilitate KM. We suggest that more would be achieved if KM initiatives were informed by a holistic model which recognises that knowledge mobilisation is influenced by: the actors involved (and the dynamics between them), environmental context, knowledge content and type, mechanisms for mobilising knowledge, and the underpinning values and principles.