2024 RIC Annual Meeting

September 18-20, 2024
In Ottawa

  

Last Updated: September 10, 2024

Bonjour la capitale du Canada!

Every year, Research Impact Canada (RIC) hosts an annual meeting for our members as an opportunity to connect, exchange ideas and resources, and imagine initiatives and priorities for RIC’s future. It has become one of our most well-received events. 

Check out our agenda with wonderful workshops, fantastic guest speakers, and opportunities for network members to showcase and share their work from their institutions.

This year’s meeting will be on September 18-20 2024 in Ottawa. It will be jointly hosted by the University of Ottawa and Carleton University. While we endeavor to make as much of the meeting hybrid-accessible so attendees can participate on Zoom, we encourage you to come in person for the full experience!

Registration

All in-person and virtual attendees must be registered for this event. Please register below.

Important Note: Our annual meeting is restricted to members of our network only, mainly professional staff working in some capacity to support knowledge mobilization principles and practices at their institution/organization.

Agenda

The full meeting agenda is below. Here is the shortened version. The dates and times will be in the Eastern time zone. Only Day 1 and 2 will be hybrid. Day 3 will be in person only.

Note: The RIC committees will meet virtually before the annual meeting convenes in September and will provide updates at the annual meeting. The Implementation Committee will meet after the annual meeting.

Time (ET) Session
9:00 AM – 9:55 AMBreakfast
Room: DMS 12102
Opening Plenary (Hybrid)
Zoom: https://yorku.zoom.us/j/93288031600
10:00 AM – 10:45 AMWelcome Remarks (Hybrid)
Room: DMS 12102

Live English interpretation will be provided on Zoom for the bilingual opening remarks. Please bring your headphones and listening device (e.g. laptop or cellphone or tablet) to log on to listen.

Presenters: Martine Lagacé, Associate Vice-President, Research Promotion and Development, University of Ottawa and David Phipps, Assistant Vice-President, Research Strategy and Impact, York University & RIC Network Director
10:45 AM – 11:05 AMIcebreaker
Room: DMS 12102
11:05 AM – 12:00 PMState of the Network (Hybrid)
Room: DMS 12102

Presenters: David Phipps & Connie Tang, Director of Strategy and Business Development, Research Impact Canada
12:00 PM – 1:00 PMLunch
Room: DMS 12102
RIC Network: Priorities and the Future (Hybrid)
Zoom: https://yorku.zoom.us/j/93288031600 (same link as this morning)
1:00 PM – 1:15 PMStrategic Priorities – Part I: Overview (Hybrid)
Room: DMS 12102

Lead: Sylvia Urbanik, Senior Knowledge Mobilization Specialist, Research Impact Canada
1:15 PM – 2:45 PMStrategic Priorities – Part II: RIC Committee Updates (Hybrid)
Room: DMS 12102

Each committee will present updates for about 15 minutes or so. Live English interpretation will be provided on Zoom for the Bilingualism/Francophone Committee updates. Please bring your headphones and listening device (e.g. laptop or cellphone or tablet) to log on to listen.

– Bilingualism-Francophone committee – Led by Connie Tang and Ousmane Sarr, Presentation by Julie Medam and Roberto Ortiz Nunez
– Evaluation committee – Led by David Phipps, Presentation by Stephen MacGregor
– Professional Development committee – Led by Michael Johnny and Alyse Pearce
– Mobilize U committee – Led by Krista Jensen and Lupin Battersby, Presentation with Sophie Ashton

Lead & Facilitator: Sylvia Urbanik
2:45 PM – 3:00 PMBreak
3:00 PM – 4:30 PMStrategic Priorities – Part III: Discussion(Hybrid)
Room: DMS 12102

Lead & Facilitator: Sylvia Urbanik
In-Person Social Activity
6:00 PM – 8:00 PMDinner at Luxe Bistro
Time (ET)Session
9:00 AM – 9:55 AM

Breakfast
Room: DMS 12102
Keynote Speech (Hybrid)
Zoom: https://yorku.zoom.us/j/93288031600 (same link as yesterday)
10:00 AM – 11:15 AMPanelCityStudio Ottawa: A Community-Campus Engagement Initiative to Improve Population Health (Hybrid)
Room: DMS 12102

This panel discussion will discuss how community-campus engagement models and evaluation approaches can be designed to advance population health. CityStudio has seen a successful implementation with the City of Ottawa by strategically aligning with Ontario’s Community Safety & Well-Being plans.

CityStudio is a trust-based partnership between the City of Ottawa, University of Ottawa, Carleton University, and Algonquin College.

Presenters:
Claire Kendall, Associate Dean, Social Accountability, Faculty of Medicine, University of Ottawa
Alain Malette, Senior Director, Career Development & Experiential Learning, University of Ottawa
Jared Robinson, Assistant Director, Teaching & Learning Services, Carleton University
Kevin Holmes, Senior Program Manager, Applied Research, Experiential Learning & Innovation, Algonquin College
Sarah Taylor, Director, Community Safety, Well-Being, Policy & Analytics, City of Ottawa
11:15 AM – 11:30 AMBreak
RIC Member Presentations(Hybrid)The sessions run parallel to each other so please choose one to attend per session.
Zoom: https://yorku.zoom.us/j/93288031600 (same link as this morning)
11:30 AM – 12:00 PMAccessibility Institute: Research & Knowledge Mobilization (Hybrid)
Room: DMS 12102

Presenters:
Tara Connolly, Assistant Director (Research and Development) & Ryan Patterson, Grants and Knowledge Mobilization Officer, Accessibility Institute, Carleton University
Using Whimsy & Glamour for Advocacy (In-Person)
Room: DMS 12140

Since the late 70s, environmentalists, ‘avid cyclists’ and urban planners have tried applying results from air pollution, traffic accident and economics research in advocating for infrastructure and municipal policy supports for urban bicycle transportation. In general, until very recently, with a few notable exceptions, they have not succeeded. In this presentation, I describe an international, feminist, community-based, event that uses dress-up and gendered stereotypes to change municipal authorities’ opinions about who wants to use bicycles for urban transportation.
 
Presenter: Heather Young-Leslie, Senior Research Partner, SSH, VPRI Research Partner Network, University of Alberta
12:00 PM – 12:30 PMHomegrown Innovation Challenge: Using a challenge prize funding model to spur innovation and adoption (Hybrid)
Room: DMS 12102

The Homegrown Innovation Challenge (HGC) was launched in 2022 by the Weston Family Foundation, and is a $33-million philanthropic program to support technologies for extending the growing season in Canada. Specifically, the HGC is funding teams across the country to create and deliver a market-ready system to reliably, sustainably and competitively produce berries out of season and at scale in Canada. Set up as a challenge prize format, this program supports research teams to progress through technology readiness levels (TRLs), with an ultimate goal of enabling teams to commercialize their products and be market-ready by the end of the program. This presentation will describe, from a funders’ perspective, the origin, design decisions, and learnings to date from the HGC.

Presenter: Lukasz Aleksandrowicz, Senior Program Manager (Homegrown Innovation Challenge), Weston Family Foundation
Research to Impact Pathways – Theory of Change Based Research Advocacy (CIGI Program Case Studies) (In Person)
Room: DMS 12140

This session will provide a quick overview of how CIGI designs and measures research projects for policy outcomes. It will include 1 to 2 case studies on real CIGI programs.

Presenter: Dianna English, Director of Program Management, Centre for International Governance Innovation
12:30 PM – 1:30 PMLunch
Room: DMS 12102
1:30 PM – 2:00 PMInitiatives en mobilisation des connaissances à l’UQAM: l’appel Connaissances en action et les 2 pôles de recherche partenariale en résilience urbaine et en santé mentale (Hybrid)
Room : DMS 12102
 
Live English interpretation will be provided on Zoom. Please bring your headphones and listening device (e.g. laptop or cellphone or tablet) to log on to listen.
 

L’atelier “Initiatives en mobilisation des connaissances à l’UQAM: l’appel Connaissances en action et les 2 pôles de recherche partenariale en résilience urbaine et en santé mentale” offrira des exemples d’initiatives structurantes pour soutenir la mobilisation des connaissances au sein d’une institution universitaire en mobilisant les acteurs de la communauté professorale autour de projets multidisciplinaires et axés sur les besoins des milieux partenaires. Dans un esprit de retour sur expérience et de leçons à tirer !

Presenter: Julie Medam, Conseillère séniore et cheffe d’équipe, Développement de partenariats stratégiques, Service des partenariats et du soutien à l’innovation, Université du Québec à Montréal (UQAM)
Addressing the Discovery to Impact Gap through Knowledge Mobilization (In-Person)
Room: DMS 12140

Bringing research evidence into everyday healthcare settings is often complicated and challenging due to ongoing gaps between research findings and practical application. This presentation will outline how an academic health science center is creating and implementing a sustainable strategy for effectively mobilizing knowledge. Attendees will learn about the process of developing, supporting, and assessing knowledge mobilization practices with the goal of enhancing the impact of research across our organization and beyond. The presentation will also feature case studies demonstrating how we are successfully integrating research into healthcare practice to improve service delivery and outcomes.

Presenter: Shruti Patel, Director, Interprofessional Research and Knowledge Mobilization, Royal Ottawa Mental Health Centre
2:00 PM – 2:30 PMKnowledge to Impact – Updates on the journey toward better recognition of open, community-engaged research (Hybrid)
Room: DMS 12102

Since 2021, the University of Calgary has expanded the Knowledge Engagement team beyond facilitating community partnerships and knowledge mobilization. The team will provide an update on their progress toward more responsible research assessment practices and implementing the Declaration on Research Assessment, including better recognition of community-engaged, transdisciplinary research. They will also describe their efforts to embed research impact assessment and open science initiatives within the institution.

Presenter: Stephanie Warner, Manager (Knowledge Engagement), University of Calgary
Harnessing Knowledge for Impact: Mobilization Initiatives at NAIT (In-Person)
Room: DMS 12140

In the world of polytechnic applied research, knowledge mobilization has a different twist. NAIT’s research impact is defined and driven by our industry and community partners. Join this session to learn more about knowledge mobilization activities at NAIT, including capacity-building research projects with Indigenous communities, niche industry training, book club, and a nation-wide portal for land management resources.

Presenter: Vicky Qualie, Knowledge to Practice Services Lead, Northern Alberta Institute of Technology (NAIT)
2:30 PM – 2:45 PMBreak
2:45 PM – 3:15 PMSupporting Indigenous self-determination in research and knowledge mobilization through the CIHR-funded Network Environments for Indigenous Health Research (NEIHRs) (Hybrid)
Room: DMS 12102

In Canada, the health research funding landscape continues to limit the self-determination of Indigenous Peoples in multiple ways. However, Indigenous-led research, training, and knowledge mobilization networks represent a promising approach to transforming the funding landscape to better support the self-determination of Indigenous peoples in health research.

The Network Environments for Indigenous Health Research (NEIHR) program has nine Indigenous-led networks across Canada that support research leadership and self-determination among Indigenous communities. Funded by the Canadian Institute Health Research (CIHR), this $100.8M investment over 16 years (2020-2035) represents the largest amount of funding the Canadian federal government has committed to Indigenous health research.

This session will introduce these autonomous networks and their various approaches to community-based research and knowledge mobilization and the National Coordinating Centre that supports them. Further, it will explore the impact that these approaches have had over the last four years, as measured by the evaluation built into each network. Finally, we will explore ways to strengthen the connections between RIC institutions and the NEIHRs. 

Presenter: Fleur Macqueen Smith, Manager, Network Environments for Indigenous Health Research (NEIHR), University of Saskatchewan
3:15 PM – 3:30 PMConclusion of annual meeting for virtual attendees | Prep for the world cafe session
3:30 PM – 4:30 PMIn-PersonWorld Café
Room: DMS 12102

The world café session will open with an introduction of the format. Each presenter will then provide a 1-2-minute pitch for attendees to come to their table. Attendees will choose one of the tables for the first round. After 20 minutes, the room will rotate. Attendees will pick a different table for the next 20 minutes. After the second round is over, the world café session will conclude.

“Spotlighting” Impact through Community Television
In 2022, Lakehead University partnered with Shaw Spotlight, a community television program funded by Shaw Communications Inc. to produce a monthly 30-minute talk show called Research Matters. Hosted by Dr. Andrew P. Dean, Vice-President of Research and Innovation, the program features interviews with Lakehead researchers from a wide range of disciplines to discuss their community connections and industry partners, as well as the potential impact of their research on a regional, national, and international scale. Through this World Café presentation, attendees will learn about the planning process and early success stories for this knowledge mobilization initiative.

Presenter: Nicole Westlund-Stewart, Research & Knowledge Mobilization Facilitator (Social Sciences and Humanities), Lakehead University

How to Write a White House Memo
A brief introduction to policy writing for researchers, hosted by a former National Security Council staff member.

Presenter:
Dianna English, Director of Program Management, Centre for International Governance Innovation

Knowledge Exchange and Mobilization (KxM) 2.0
On the evaluations following each of our foundational training programs we get the question: where to next? There is an appetite to learn about KxM topics in greater depth and how skills might be applied in context.

In response to this we are creating a training program called “Pods to Projects”. Foundational training program grads will work in small groups with a community partner to use their KxM skills to solve a community articulated KxM problem. At the end of the course, participants will “pitch” their solution to the large group for accolades and feedback. The UBC KxM team would love to hear your thoughts!

Presenter:
 Genevieve Creighton, Manager, Knowledge Exchange, University of British Columbia

Do you practice evidence-informed knowledge mobilization?
In this short presentation and longer discussion we will explore how we understand or define evidence-informed knowledge mobilization, what it looks like in our settings, and/or where it can or should show up in our work as practitioners and supporters of knowledge mobilization at our institutions.

Presenter:
Lupin Battersby, Director, Knowledge Mobilization, Simon Fraser University

KMb Embedded in Community – A secondment with the United Way Greater Toronto

Presenter:
Michael Johnny, Manager, Knowledge Mobilization Unit, York University
5:00 PM – 6:30 PMIn-Person Social Activity
Ottawa Art Gallery: Tour and ARTivity (1.5 hours)

The first 30 minutes will be a led tour of the art gallery. The remaining hour will be the ARTivity, “(re)Mapping Place,” which is designed by the Anishinaabe (Odawa) artist Barry Ace. We will discover pre-colonial Anishinaabe mapmaking traditions and learn to (re)map our neighborhood or city. 
Time (MT)Session
9:00 AM – 9:55 AMBreakfast
Room: Woodside Hall
Closing Plenary(In-Person)
10:00 AM – 10:15 AMWelcome Remarks (In-Person)
Room: Woodside Hall

Presenter: Andrea Lawrance, Director, Carleton Office for Research Initiatives and Services (CORIS), Carleton University
10:15 AM – 11:00 AMSpecial Guest Presentation – Knowledge Mobilization: Back to the Future (In-Person)
Room: Woodside Hall

This presentation will review the origins and evolution of the concepts of knowledge mobilization and knowledge translation in Canada, consider the current positioning of these concepts and offer recommendations about what is needed to ensure optimal research mobilization and impact.

Presenter: Ian Graham, Senior Scientist, Methodological & Implementation Research, Ottawa Hospital Research Institute and Professor, Department of Epidemiology & Community Medicine, University of Ottawa
11:00AM – 11:15 AMBreak
11:15 AM – 11:45 AMDelivering Real-World Impact from Excellent Research, Innovation and Business Engagement – A UK & LSBU Perspective (In-Person)

Delivering real-world impact is at the heart of the London South Bank University (LSBU) corporate strategy and underpins our institutional vision to transform lives, communities, businesses and society through applied education and insight. Set within a UK-wide focus of ensuring research benefits the economy and wider society, Rodney will use examples of LSBU research, and the impact arising from this, to illustrate how the planned development of impact, together with a little luck, can enrich local culture, enhance public policy or services, and improve health, the environment and quality of life, beyond academia.

The presentation will also offer some brief reflections on how research impact has been shaped within the context of the UK research quality assessment – the Research Excellence Framework – and some of the potential risks if not carefully mitigated.

Presenter: Rodney Day, Pro Vice-Chancellor (Research & Innovation), London South Bank University
11:45 PM – 12:30 PMLunch
Room: Woodside Hall
12:30 AM – 2:30 PMWorkshop– Bridging Science and Policy: Tools for Effective Advocacy(In-Person)
Room: Woodside Hall

Join Evidence for Democracy (E4D), Canada’s leading voice for science, evidence-informed public policy, and transparent decision-making, for an engaging and interactive workshop titled “Bridging Science and Policy: Tools for Effective Advocacy.” This session is designed to equip scientists and researchers with the knowledge and skills to become effective advocates for science. Participants will gain insights into the basics of science policy, the importance of evidence in policy-making, the fundamentals of science advocacy, and how to engage with elected officials. The workshop includes interactive group exercises and activities to put your skills into practice. Whether you are new to advocacy or looking to enhance your existing skills, this workshop will provide valuable tools to make your voice heard and ensure science and evidence are at the forefront of public decision-making.

Presenter:
Sarah Laframboise, Executive Director and Trevor Potts, Director of Research and Policy, Evidence for Democracy
2:30 PM – 3:00 PMGroup Reflections & Conclusion (In-Person)
Room: Woodside Hall

Contact Us

If you have any questions or concerns, please get in touch with Sandy Chan at sdychan@yorku.ca.

ADDITIONAL DETAILS

MEETING VENUES

The first two days of the annual meeting will be on U Ottawa’s campus and the last day will be on Carleton U’s campus:


HYBRID IN-PERSON OR ZOOM PARTICIPATION

We endeavoured to make as much of our programming hybrid as possible this year. Any session where we welcome hybrid participation (e.g. Zoom or in-person) or in-person participation only will be clearly designated in the agenda. For Zoom, we will use the same Zoom link throughout the meeting. 

If requested, live simultaneous interpretation will be available during the Zoom meeting.


HOTEL

RIC members will be responsible for the payment of their own hotel rooms. We have a group block reserved for us at the DoubleTree by Hilton (33 Nicholas St, Ottawa, ON K1N 9M7).

It’s about a 5-minute walk to U Ottawa’s Desmarais building on Day 1 and Day 2 and about a 20-minute walk to the Carleton Dominion-Chalmers Centre on Day 3.

Please contact Sandy for the hotel rate and to be added to the RIC rooming list.


TRANSIT

All our activities are within a 5-20-minute walking distance of each other. If you prefer to ride in a car, we are happy to accommodate you by ordering taxi rides. Please let Sandy know if you require transportation arrangements.


FOOD

Epicuria will cater the food for our meeting each day.

Breakfast: Each day, breakfast will include a variation of some of the following items: mini baked goods and pastries (sweet or savoury scones, muffins, and multi-grain croissants), Greek yogurt parfait, energy bites, fruit platter, artisan cheese platter, and hot breakfast sandwiches.

Lunch: Different bento boxes will be provided for lunch each day, which include a meat protein, a salad, and a dessert. On Day 1, the protein will be chicken. On Day 2, the protein will be salmon. On Day 3, the protein will be flank steak. If you are unable to eat any of the meat proteins on those days, a vegetarian/vegan bento box will be provided instead. Please indicate in the survey your food preference to ensure the right protein box will be given.

Dietary restrictions will be accommodated.


SOCIAL ACTIVITIES

On September 18, 2024 (Day 1), we will have a RIC network dinner at Luxe Bistro, a 11-minute walk from U Ottawa. The restaurant menu includes vegetarian/vegan, pescatarian, and meat options.

On September 19, 2024 (Day 2), we will visit the Ottawa Art Gallery for a tour and an ARTivity guided by gallery educators and built by community leaders. The gallery is a 5-minute walk from U Ottawa. The art workshop we will be taking is “Re(mapping) Place.”

Evidence for Democracy will run a really cool, hands-on workshop for us on September 20, 2024 (Day 3) during the day!


OTTAWA RECOMMENDATIONS

If you’re looking to explore Ottawa, here are some recommendations for places to eat and things to do!

Attractions