Considerations for Research Funders and Managers to Facilitate the Translation of Scientific Knowledge into Practice

P Tuohy; C Cvitanovic; R J Shellock; D B Karcher; J Duggan; S J Cooke

doi:10.1007/s00267-023-01895-w

Considerations for Research Funders and Managers to Facilitate the Translation of Scientific Knowledge into Practice

Environ Manage. 2024 Mar;73(3):668-682. doi: 10.1007/s00267-023-01895-w. Epub 2023 Nov 29.

Authors

P Tuohy¹, C Cvitanovic², R J Shellock^{3

4}, D B Karcher⁵, J Duggan⁶, S J Cooke⁷

Affiliations

¹ Institute for Marine and Antarctic Science, University of Tasmania, Hobart, TAS, Australia. paris.tuohy@utas.edu.au.
² School of Business, University of New South Wales, Canberra, ACT, Australia.
³ Institute for Marine and Antarctic Science, University of Tasmania, Hobart, TAS, Australia.
⁴ Centre for Marine Socioecology, University of Tasmania, Hobart, TAS, Australia.
⁵ Australian National Centre for the Public Awareness of Science, Australian National University, Canberra, ACT, Australia.
⁶ Fenner School of Environment and Society, Australia National University, Canberra, ACT, Australia.
⁷ Department of Biology and Institute of Environmental and Interdisciplinary Science, Carleton University, Ottawa, ON, Canada.

PMID: 38019304
DOI: 10.1007/s00267-023-01895-w

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.

Keywords: Knowledge broker; Knowledge translation; Research for development; Research impact; Science funding.

MeSH terms

Australia
Knowledge*
Translational Research, Biomedical*