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Engagement and Knowledge Mobilization

Discover how the Faculty of Medicine fosters meaningful connections between researchers, communities, and knowledge users. This page highlights strategies and resources that support the translation of research into real-world impact, promote collaborative partnerships, and enhance the visibility and uptake of scientific discoveries.

Patient and community engagement

a doctor is talking to a child patient

Community and patient engagement in medical research is increasingly recognized as essential for producing studies that are relevant, ethical, and impactful. By involving the people whose lives and health outcomes are directly affected, researchers can ensure that their questions, methods, and outcomes truly address community needs, build trust, and enhance both recruitment and retention in clinical studies.

Engagement begins at the earliest stages of project design. Patients and community representatives bring lived experience to the table—they can help refine research questions so they reflect real-world priorities, identify outcome measures that matter to end‐users, and flag potential barriers to participation (e.g., travel, language, cultural sensitivities). This “co-design” approach not only enriches study relevance, but also helps secure buy-in from local groups and health professionals.

Throughout the research lifecycle, ongoing communication fosters transparency. Establishing patient advisory panels or community steering committees allows participants to weigh in on protocol adaptations, consent materials, and dissemination strategies. In medical trials, this can optimize enrollment pathways and improve adherence by addressing concerns in real time. After data collection, community partners guide interpretation: they can spotlight unexpected findings, suggest context for subgroup analyses, and help tailor messaging so results are understandable and actionable.

By embedding community and patient engagement into medical research, universities enhance study quality, accelerate translation into practice, and strengthen public trust—ultimately leading to better health outcomes for all.

LabPartners
Office for Patient Engagement in Research Activities (OPERA)

What is knowledge translation?

a group of students

Knowledge translation (KT) is about raising knowledge users' awareness of research findings and facilitating the use of those findings. The Canadian Institutes of Health Research (CIHR) has written a guide to Knowledge Translation Planning at CIHRide as one resource to help to strengthen projects that involve a KT approach, while also ensuring that the review of KT within grant proposals is more rigorous and transparent. There are two main forms of KT: integrated knowledge translation (iKT) and end-of-grant KT. Integrated knowledge translation requires that knowledge users be members of the research team and participate in many stages of the research process. End-of-grant KT focuses on how researchers will translate their findings when the work is completed. 

What is knowledge mobilization?

Knowledge mobilization (KMb) is an umbrella term encompassing a wide range of activities relating to the production and use of research results, including knowledge synthesis, dissemination, transfer, exchange, and co-creation or co-production by researchers and knowledge users. Effective knowledge mobilization includes plans to store data in the public domain, where appropriate. See the Tri-Agency Research Data Management Policy for more information.

SSHRC’s definition of knowledge mobilization

Commercialization, patenting, licensing and spin-off companies

The University of Ottawa’s Innovation Support Services (ISS) drives the transformation of research into real-world impact by supporting commercialization, patenting, licensing, and the creation of spin-off companies. We connect researchers with industry partners, facilitate collaborative research agreements, and provide expert guidance on intellectual property protection. Our team ensures researchers have the tools and resources they need to navigate the commercialization process, turning innovative ideas into tangible solutions that benefit society and the economy.

Find more about the innovation support services.

KT/KMb leverages scientific evidence to inform and transform policy and practice, aiming to bridge the gap between research and its practical application. This involves disseminating their findings in non-traditional ways, such as:

  • Documents: case studies, newsletters, education material, fact sheets, FAQs, handbooks, journal article, magazine articles, newspaper articles, press releases, promotional materials, reference lists, success stories, reports, briefing notes, knowledge syntheses, books, policy papers
  • Tools: toolkits, manuals, guidelines (including clinical guidelines), databases, decision-making tools (ie. for patients and healthcare providers).
  • Media: blogs, e-newsletters, podcasts, PowerPoint presentations, videos, websites, wikis, radio interviews, TV interviews
  • Training: workshops, webinars, courses, lunch & learns
  • Knowledge exchange: meetings, conferences, debates, forums, panels, press conferences, presentations, symposiums
  • Co-Creation: interactive small groups, educational outreach, mass media campaigns, communities of practice, networks, chat rooms, social media, discussion boards
  • Artistic representations/performances: films, plays, exhibits, festivals

When it comes to KT/KMb, your strategy should include multiple approaches and activities to reach your audience and actively engage them. Use plain language, keep your messages authentic and think big!

KMb support services: Feel free to send an email to the Research Connexions Unit at [email protected] to learn about upcoming uOttawa knowledge mobilization training and workshop opportunities.

CIHR Guide to Knowledge Translation Planning – Integrated and End-of-Grant Appr…
Knowledge mobilization strategy 2024-2028
Research and innovation services
EDI Action Plan for Research
Additional KMb resources (VirtuO)
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