Abstract
Research funders and managers can play a critical role in supporting the translation of knowledge into action by facilitating the brokering of knowledge and partnerships. We use semi-structured interviews with a research funding agency, the Australian Centre for International Agricultural Research (ACIAR), to explore (i) ways that funders can facilitate knowledge brokering, the (ii) barriers to, and (iii) enablers for, facilitating knowledge brokering, and (iv) the individual skills and attributes for research program funders and managers to be effective brokers. Based on these findings, we generate three considerations for research funders elsewhere, in particular R4D funders, seeking to build capacity for knowledge brokering: (i) formalise the process and practice, (ii) develop shared language and understanding, and (iii) build individual competencies and capabilities. Our findings complement the existing literature with a context specific analysis of how research funders can facilitate knowledge brokering, and by identifying the barriers and enablers in doing so.
Similar content being viewed by others
References
ACIAR (2018) ACIAR 10-year strategy 2018-2027, Australian Centre for International Agricultural Research. Available at: https://www.aciar.gov.au/publication/corporate-publications/aciar-10-year-strategy-2018-2027
Armstrong R, Waters E, Dobbins M, Anderson L, Moore L, Petticrew M, Clark R et al. (2013) Knowledge translation strategies to improve the use of evidence in public health decision making in local government: intervention design and implementation plan. Implement Sci 8(1):121. https://doi.org/10.1186/1748-5908-8-121
Arnott JC (2021) Pens and purse strings: exploring the opportunities and limits to funding actionable suitability science. Res Policy 50:104362
Arnott JC, Kirchoff CJ, Meyer RM, Meadow AM, Bednarek AT (2020) Sponsoring actionable science: what public science funders and do to advance sustainability and the social contract for science. Curr Opin Environ Sustain 42:38–44
Baker SE, & Edwards R (2012) How many qualitative interviews is enough. Discussion paper, National Centre for Research Methods
Bednarek AT, Shouse B, Hudson CG, Goldburg R (2015) Science-policy intermediaries from a practitioner’s perspective: the Lenfest Ocean Program experience. Sci Public Policy 43:291–300
Bednarek AT, Wyborn C, Cvitanovic C et al. (2018) Boundary spanning at the science-policy interface: the practitioners’ perspectives. Sustain Sci 13(4):1175–1183
Bielak A, Campbell A, Pope S, Schaefer K & Shaxson L (2008) From science communication to knowledge brokering: the shift from ‘science push’ to ‘policy pull’. In Communicating science in social contexts: new models, new practices, Springer p 201–226
Blythe J, Cvitanovic C (2020) Five organizational features that enable successful interdisciplinary marine research. Front Mar Sci 7:981
Bornbaum CC, Kornas K, Peirson L et al. (2015) Exploring the function and effectiveness of knowledge brokers as facilitators of knowledge translation in health-related settings: a systematic review and thematic analysis. Implement Sci 10:162. https://doi.org/10.1186/s13012-015-0351-9
Bruneel J, D’Este P, Salter A (2010) ‘Investigating the factors that diminish the barriers to university–industry collaboration’. Res Policy 39(7):858–868. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.respol.2010.03.006
Bryman A (2012) Social research methods. Oxford University Press, Oxford
Cash DW, Clark WC, Alcock F, Dickson NM, Eckley N, Guston DH, Jäger J, Mitchell RB(2003) Knowledge systems for sustainable development. Proc Natl Acad Sci USA 100(14):8086–8091. https://doi.org/10.1073/pnas.1231332100
Chambers JM, Wyborn C, Ryan ME, Reid RS, Riechers M, Serban A, Bennett NJ, Cvitanovic C, Fernández-Giménez ME, Galvin KA, Goldstein BE (2021) Six modes of co-production for sustainability. Nat Sustain 4(11):983–996
Chambers JM, Wyborn C, Klenk NL, Ryan M, Serban A, Bennett NJ, Brennan R et al. (2022) Co-productive agility and four collaborative pathways to sustainability transformations. Glob Environ Change 72:102422
Cherney A, Head B (2011) Supporting the knowledge to action process: a systems- thinking approach. Evid Policy 7(4):471–488
Cordero C, Delino R, Jeyaseelan L, Lansang MA, Lozano JM, Kumar S, Moreno S, Pietersen M, Quirino J, Thamlikitkul V, Welch VA, Tetroe J, Ter Kuile A, Graham ID, Grimshaw J, Neufeld V, Wells G, Tugwell P (2008) Funding agencies in low- and middle-income countries: support for knowledge translation. Bull World Health Organ 86(7):524–534. https://doi.org/10.2471/blt.07.040386
Cooke SJ, Jeanson AL, Bishop I et al. (2021) On the theory-practice gap in the environmental realm: perspectives from and for diverse environmental professionals. Socio-Ecol Pract Res 3:243–255
Cook CN, Mascia MB, Schwartz MW, Possingham HP, Fuller RA (2013) Achieving conservation science that bridges the knowledge–action boundary. Conserv Biol 27(4):669–678
Cummings S, Kiwanuka S, Gillman H, & Regeer B (2019) The future of knowledge brokering: perspectives from a generational framework of knowledge management for international development. Inform Dev https://doi.org/10.1177/0266666918800174
Cvitanovic C, Crimp S, Fleming A, Bell J, Howden M, Hobday AJ, Taylor M, Cunningham R (2016) Linking adaptation science to action to build food secure Pacific Island communities. Clim Risk Manag 11:53–62
Cvitanovic C, Cunningham R, Dowd AM, Howden SM, van Putten EI (2017) Using social network analysis to monitor and assess the effectiveness of knowledge brokers at connecting scientists and decision‐makers: an Australian case study. Environ Policy Gov 27:256–269
Cvitanovic C, Fulton CJ, Wilson SK, van Kerkhoff L, Cripps IL, Muthiga N (2014) Utility of primary scientific literature to environmental managers: an international case study on coral-dominated marine protected areas. Ocean Coast Manag 102:72–78
Cvitanovic C, Hobday AJ (2018) Building optimism at the environmental science-policy-practice interface through the study of bright spots. Nat Commun 9:3466
Cvitanovic C, Hobday AJ, van Kerkhoff L, Wilson SK, Dobbs K, Marshall NA (2015a) Improving knowledge exchange among scientists and decision-makers to facilitate the adaptive governance of marine resources: a review of knowledge and research needs. Ocean Coast Manag 112:25–35
Cvitanovic C, Hobday A.J, Van Kerkhoff L, Marshall N.A (2015b) Overcoming barriers to knowledge exchange for adaptive resource management; the perspectives of Australian marine scientists. MARINE POLICY 52:38–44. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.marpol.2014.10.026
Cvitanovic C, Wyborn C, Glenn E, Kelly R, Louder E, van Putten E. I (2021a) Ten Considerations for Research Funders Seeking to Enhance Knowledge Exchange and the Impact of Marine Science on Policy and Practice. Front. Mar. Sci 8:704495. https://doi.org/10.3389/fmars.2021.704495
Cvitanovic C, Shellock RJ, Mackay M, van Putten IE, Karcher DB, Dickey-Collas M, Ballesteros M (2021b) Strategies for building and managing ‘trust’ to enable knowledge exchange at the interface of environmental science and policy. Environ Sci Policy 123:179–189
Cvitanovic C, McDonald J, Hobday AJ (2016) From science to action: principles for undertaking environmental research that enables knowledge exchange and evidence-based decision-making. J Environ Manag 183(3):864–874
El-Jardali F, Fadlallah R (2015) A call for a backward design to knowledge translation. Int J Health Policy Manag 4:1–5. https://doi.org/10.15171/ijhpm.2015.10
Evans M. C, Christopher C (2018) An introduction to achieving policy impact for early career researchers. Palgrave Communications 4:1–12
Fazey I, Schäpke N, Caniglia G, Patterson J, Hultman J, Van Mierlo B, Säwe F, Wiek A, Wittmayer J, Aldunce P, Al Waer H (2018) Ten essentials for action-oriented and second order energy transitions, transformations and climate change research. Energy Res Soc Sci 40:54–70
Glaser B, Strauss A (1967) The discovery of grounded theory: strategies for qualitative research. Aldine, Chicago
Graham ID, Logan J, Harrison MB, Straus SE, Tetroe J, Caswell W, Robinson N (2006) Lost in knowledge translation: time for a map? J Contin Educ Health Prof 26:13–24. https://doi.org/10.1002/chp.47
Guest G, Bunce A, Johnson L (2006) ‘How many interviews are enough? An experiment with data saturation and variability. Field Methods 18(1):59–82. https://doi.org/10.1177/1525822X05279903
Hay I (2010) Qualitative research methods in human geography. Oxford University Press, Canada
Hennink M, Kaiser BN (2022) Sample sizes for saturation in qualitative research: a systematic review of empirical tests. Soc Sci Med 292:114523. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.socscimed.2021.114523
Hering JG (2016) Do we need ‘more research’ or better implementation through knowledge brokering? Sustain Sci 11:363–369. https://doi.org/10.1007/s11625-015-0314-8
Holmes B, Scarrow G, Schellenberg M (2012) Translating evidence into practice: the role of health research funders. Implement Sci 7:1–10
Huzair F, Borda-Rodriguez A, Upton M, Mugwagwa JT (2013) An interdisciplinary and development lens on knowledge translation. Sci Public Policy 40:43–50. https://doi.org/10.1093/scipol/scs119
Jessani N, Kennedy C, Bennett S (2016) The Human Capital of Knowledge Brokers: an analysis of attributes, capacities and skills of academic teaching and research faculty at Kenyan schools of public health. Health Res Policy Syst 14:58. https://doi.org/10.1186/s12961-016-0133-0
Karcher D, Cvitanovic C, Shellock RJ, Hobday A, Stephenson R, Dickey-Collas M, van Putten I (2022) More than money—the costs of knowledge exchange at the interface of science and policy. Ocean Coast Manag 225:106194. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ocecoaman.2022.106194
Kerner JF (2006) Knowledge translation versus knowledge integration: a ‘funder’s’ perspective. J Contin Educ Health Prof 26(1):72–80. https://doi.org/10.1002/chp.53
King N, Horrocks C, Brooks J (2018) Interviews in qualitative research. SAGE Publications Limited, London, UK
Kislov R, Waterman H, Harvey G et al. (2014) Rethinking capacity building for knowledge mobilisation: developing multilevel capabilities in healthcare organisations. Implement Sci 9:166. https://doi.org/10.1186/s13012-014-0166-0
Klerkx L, Schut M, Leeuwis C, Kilelu C (2012) Advances in knowledge brokering in the agricultural sector: towards innovation system facilitation. IDS Bull 43:53–60. https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1759-5436.2012.00363.x
Landrum J, Hudson C, Close S, Knight E, Paquin R-M, Bell V & Ripple K (2022) Grant-making criteria for developing useful and usable marine science: a philanthropic perspective. Front Mar Sci 8. https://doi.org/10.3389/fmars.2021.809953
Lacey J, Howden SM, Cvitanovic C, Dowd AM (2015) Informed adaptation: ethical considerations for adaptation researchers and decision-makers. Glob Environ Change 32:200–210
Laurance WF, Koster H, Grooten M, Anderson AB, Zuidema PA, Zwick S, Anten NP (2012) Making conservation research more relevant for conservation practitioners. Biol Conserv 153:164–168
Laws S, Harper C, Jones N and Marcus R (2013) Research for development: a practical guide, 2nd edn, London: SAGE Publications
Lightowler C, Knight C (2013) Sustaining knowledge exchange and research impact in the social sciences and humanities: investing in knowledge broker roles in UK universities. Evid Policy 9(3):317–334. https://doi.org/10.1332/174426413X662644
Lindahl Rajala, E, Vogel I, Sundin A, Kongmanila D, Nassuna-Musoke M, Musundire R, Mulangala M, Chiwona-Karltun L, Magnusson U & Boqvist S (2020) How can agricultural research translation projects targeting smallholder production systems be strengthened by using Theory of Change? Global Food Security. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.gfs.2020.100475
Lomas J (2007) The in-between world of knowledge brokering. BMJ 334(7585):129–132. https://doi.org/10.1136/bmj.39038.593380.AE
Lubcheco J (1998) Entering the century of the environment: a new social contract for science. Science 279:491–497
Lyall C, Bruce A, Marsden W, Meagher L (2013) ‘The role of funding agencies in creating interdisciplinary knowledge’. Sci Public Policy 40(1):62–71. https://doi.org/10.1093/scipol/scs121
Marshall N, Adger N, Attwood S, Brown K, Crissman C, Cvitanovic C, De Young C, Gooch M, James C, Jessen S, Johnson D (2017) Empirically derived guidance for social scientists to influence environmental policy. PLoS One 12(3):e0171950
Matso KE, Becker ML (2014) What can funders do to better link science with decisions? Case studies of coastal communities and climate change. Environ Manag 54:1356–1371
McGonigle DF, Rota Nodari G, Phillips RL, Aynekulu E, Estrada-Carmona N, Jones SK, Koziell I, Luedeling E, Remans R, Shepherd K, Wiberg D, Whitney C, Zhang W (2020) A knowledge brokering framework for integrated landscape management. Front Sustain Food Syst 4:13. https://doi.org/10.3389/fsufs.2020.00013
Meyer M (2010) The rise of the knowledge broker. Sci Commun 32(1):118–127. https://doi.org/10.1177/1075547009359797
Moss (2013) Research, policy and knowledge flows in education: what counts in knowledge mobilisation. Contemp Soc Sci 8(3):237–248. https://doi.org/10.1080/21582041.2013.767466
Newig J, Jager N, Kochskämper E, Challies E (2019) Learning in participatory environmental governance – its antecedents and effects. Findings from a case survey meta-analysis. J Environ Policy Plan 21(3):213–227. https://doi.org/10.1080/1523908X.2019.1623663
Nguyen VM, Young N, Corriveau M, Hinch SG, Cooke SJ (2019) What is ‘usable’ knowledge? Perceived barriers for integrating new knowledge into management of an iconic Canadian fishery. Can J Fish Aquat Sci 76:463–474
Norström AV, Cvitanovic C, Löf MF, West S, Wyborn C, Balvanera P, Bednarek AT, Bennett EM, Biggs R, de Bremond A, Campbell BM, Canadell JG, Carpenter SR, Folke C, Fulton EA, Gaffney O, Gelcich S, Jouffray J-B, Leach M, Le Tissier M, Martín-López B, Louder E, Loutre M-F, Meadow AM, Nagendra H, Payne D, Peterson GD, Reyers B, Scholes R, Speranza CI, Spierenburg M, Stafford-Smith M, Tengö M, van der Hel S, van Putten I, Österblom H (2020) Principles for knowledge co-production in sustainability research. Nat Sustain 3(3):182–190
Nyboer EA, Nguyen VM, Young N, Rytwinski T, Taylor JJ, Lane JF, Bennett JR, Harron N, Aitken SM, Auld G, Browne D, Jacob AI, Prior K, Smith PA, Smokorowski KE, Alexander S, Cooke SJ (2021) Supporting actionable science for environmental policy: advice for funding agencies from decision makers. Front Conserv Sci 2:693129. https://doi.org/10.3389/fcosc.2021.693129
Oliver K, Innvar S, Lorenc T et al. (2014) A systematic review of barriers to and facilitators of the use of evidence by policymakers. BMC Health Serv Res 14:2. https://doi.org/10.1186/1472-6963-14-2
Pearman O, Cravens A (2022) Institutional barriers to actionable science: perspectives from decision support tool creators. Environ Sci Policy 128:317–325. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.envsci.2021.12.004
Provvidenza C, Townley A, Wincentak J et al. (2020) Building knowledge translation competency in a community-based hospital: a practice-informed curriculum for healthcare providers, researchers, and leadership. Implement Sci 15:54. https://doi.org/10.1186/s13012-020-01013-y
Riley C, Matso K, Leonard D, Stadler J, Trueblood D, Langan R (2011) How research funding organizations can increase application of science to decision-making. Coast Manag 39:336–350
Rose DC, Sutherland WJ, Amano T, González‐Varo JP, Robertson RJ, Simmons BI, Wauchope HS, Kovacs E, Durán AP, Vadrot AB, Wu W (2018) The major barriers to evidence-informed conservation policy and possible solutions. Conserv Lett 11(5):e12564
Roux DJ, Rogers KH, Biggs HC, Ashton PJ, Sergeant A (2006) Bridging the science - management divide: moving from unidirectional knowledge transfer to knowledge interfacing and sharing. Ecol Soc 11:4
Saldana J (2015) The coding manual for qualitative researchers. Newcastle upon Tyne: Sage
Schaillee H, Spaaij R, Jeans R, & Theeboom M (2019) Knowledge translation practices, enablers, and constraints: bridging the research-practice divide in sport management. J Sport Manag 33(5). https://doi.org/10.1123/jsm.2018-0175
Shanley P, López C (2009) Out of the loop: why research rarely reaches policy makers and the public and what can be done. Biotropica 41(5):535–544
Shaxson L, Bielak A, Ahmed I, Brien D, Conant B, Fisher C, Gwyn E, & Klerkx LWA (2012) Expanding our understanding of K* (Kt, KE, Ktt, KMb, KB, KM, etc.) : a concept paper emerging from the K* conference held in Hamilton, Ontario, Canada, April 2012. (Concept paper & case studies). United Nations University
Shellock RJ, Cvitanovic C, Mackay M, McKinnon MC, Blythe J, Kelly R, Van Putten IE, Tuohy P, Bailey M, Begossi A, Crona B (2022) Breaking down barriers: the identification of actions to promote gender equality in interdisciplinary marine research institutions. One Earth 5(6):687–708
Starman AB (2013) The case study as a type of qualitative research. J. Contemp. Educ. Studies/Sodobna Pedagogika, 64(1)
Sutherland WJ, Pullin AS, Dolman PM, Knight TM (2004) The need for evidence-based conservation. Trends Ecol Evolut 19(6):305–308
Thackway S, Campbell D, Loppacher T (2017) A long-term, strategic approach to evidence generation and knowledge translation in NSW, Australia. Public Health Res Pract 27(1):e2711702
Walsh JC, Dicks LV, Raymond CM, Sutherland WJ (2019) A typology of barriers and enablers of scientific evidence use in conservation practice. J Environ Manag 250:109481
Ward V, House A, Hamer S (2009) Knowledge brokering: the missing link in the evidence to action chain? Evid Policy J Res Debate Pract 5:267–279
Williams P (2002) The competent boundary spanner. Public Adm 80:103–124. https://doi.org/10.1111/1467-9299.00296
Young J (2005) Research, policy and practice: why developing countries are different. J Int Dev 17:727–734. https://doi.org/10.1002/jid.1235
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Contributions
Conceptualisation, CC; data collection, CC, PT and RS; data analysis, PT, CC, DK and JD; data interpretation, all authors; original draft of manuscript, PT; all authors made substantial contributions in reviewing and editing the manuscript in consequent drafts.
Corresponding author
Ethics declarations
Conflict of interest
The authors declare no competing interests.
Additional information
Publisher’s note Springer Nature remains neutral with regard to jurisdictional claims in published maps and institutional affiliations.
Supplementary Information
Rights and permissions
Springer Nature or its licensor (e.g. a society or other partner) holds exclusive rights to this article under a publishing agreement with the author(s) or other rightsholder(s); author self-archiving of the accepted manuscript version of this article is solely governed by the terms of such publishing agreement and applicable law.
About this article
Cite this article
Tuohy, P., Cvitanovic, C., Shellock, R.J. et al. Considerations for Research Funders and Managers to Facilitate the Translation of Scientific Knowledge into Practice. Environmental Management 73, 668–682 (2024). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00267-023-01895-w
Received:
Accepted:
Published:
Issue Date:
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00267-023-01895-w