Open Collections

Wu, Sharon

University of British Columbia

This study explores key elements of effective knowledge mobilization strategies for university research projects through the analysis of two Networks of Centres of Excellence (NCE) research networks. To enhance the outcome of the study, mixed research methods are used such as Weber’s Ideal Type approach to identify key elements of social behavior, then Reflexive Thematic Analysis by Braun and Clarke (2021) to guide the analysis and reporting. Qualitative interviews were conducted to explore key research questions, such as: ‘What is the role of trust, social capital, and social networks in knowledge mobilization for university research projects’, and, What are key considerations for Principal Investigators (PIs) and teams when forming research partnerships/social networks to advance knowledge mobilization? Key findings of this study are: Trusting relationships play a critical role in knowledge mobilization for university research projects. Trusting relationships accumulate social capital giving access to resources and skills. Actors access these resources and skills through social networks to facilitate knowledge mobilization. University research projects are situated in a complex social environment/innovation ecosystem that have many forces impacting knowledge mobilization. Collective efforts are needed from all key parties including knowledge providers, knowledge users, universities, industry, communities, funding agencies, and governments of all levels, to advance knowledge mobilization and innovation. By engaging knowledge users early in the process, knowledge providers can resolve user-defined problems that ultimately generate targeted benefits for the users and society. Building relationships as early as graduate school helps to establish a network of connections enabling knowledge mobilization. Social network characteristics such as anchorage, reachability, density/cohesion, and range/diversity are important considerations for PIs and teams when forming research partnerships. Universities can create a supportive research environment where knowledge mobilization is part of their research culture and institutional culture. However, universities will need support from governments in order to develop and sustain such culture. Coordination among universities, funding agencies, and governments is needed to continuously advance knowledge mobilization and innovation.

Text

2025-04-14

Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivatives 4.0 International

http://hdl.handle.net/2429/90659

Interdisciplinary Studies

University of British Columbia

UBCV

http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-nd/4.0/