Michael Johnny, RIR-York
There is a relationship between knowledge mobilization and communications but it is unclear and is highly contextual. Within the last month there has been much discussion on this.
Il y a un lien entre la mobilisation des connaissances et la communication, mais il n’est pas clair et hautement influencé par le contexte. Au cours du dernier mois, il y a eu beaucoup de discussion à ce sujet.
April 16, 2013. For me, it was one of the most nerve-wracking presentations I have ever given. I was speaking to a room full of communications professionals at York University about the intersections of Knowledge Mobilization and Communications. There are two reasons why I was feeling nervous: first, it is awkward to talk to professionals about their work when you’re not intimately familiar with it, and second, I had some very direct and constructive criticism for both our offices. The talk opened up new opportunities for collaboration and engagement and was the spark of new interesting developments around two interesting professionals and concepts.
Rewind the calendar a few days. It was on April 12 that our office hosted one of our traditional KM in the AM events with the topic of discussion being The Role of Knowledge Brokers. It was a great event, well represented from members of the KTECoP. An interesting question was raised from the audience, “what are the differences between knowledge mobilization and communications”. Well, the conversation was suddenly co-opted by a spirited debate on the two terms and the two roles. York’s David Phipps took to LinkedIn to continue and fuel the conversation and it has remained a lively one. So lively, (24 responses to date), that we’re going to host a dedicated KM in the AM on this topic later this spring or summer (date TBD).
The impetus for the April 16 presentation was to solicit feedback on a presentation I would like to make to York faculty around the two terms, as there is some confusion on roles and activity. Melanie Barwick, Research Scientist from Hospital for Sick Kids provided an explanation on the LinkedIn conversation which I quite like. She explains, and I agree, that the two terms are both misunderstood and have points of convergence, but some divergence as well. The presentation I am looking to refine is part of a York Learning Series which we’re offering to York researchers to help build capacity in KMb across campus.
In closing, taking an honest and respectful approach to let colleagues – many whom I have never met – know that the work we are doing has had some limitations went well. And the reason for that is I offered to be part of the solution. When KMb and Communications offices can align their services and co-exist, both can flourish! Shawna Reibling, Knowledge Mobilization Officer at Wilfrid Laurier University would know this though. She is a broker with a background (actually, an MA) in communications. She walks the talk. I would like to hear what you think about the relationship between KMb and Communications… based on the engagement around this I am confident you have an opinion!