Certificate in Knowledge Mobilization

The Certificate in Knowledge Mobilization offered by the University of Guelph is designed to develop participants’ knowledge, skills and values with respect to knowledge mobilization (KMb) and build capacity to select and apply KMb tools and techniques to move knowledge into action. The certificate program is comprised of three online courses that can be completed in any order, with one course offered each semester.

Participants in the Certificate of Knowledge Mobilization program will:

• Learn how to build and implement knowledge mobilization strategies adapted to the needs and goals of your organization or sector
• Learn to identify and use evidence from a number of sources and disciplines, and present research findings in ways that make the information accessible, relevant and applicable
• Develop key skills and competencies of knowledge brokering and stakeholder engagement
• Explore mechanisms to turn knowledge into action and support the development of evidence-based policies and programs

The Certificate in KMb was designed for professionals currently employed or aiming to work in the social sciences, human services and health sectors, including:

• KMb Practitioners
• Service Providers
• Policy Makers
• Researchers

The program also welcomes graduate students interested in building KMb skills or planning to work in one of these fields.

Course 1

Inform: Processes of knowledge translation and dissemination (January 23 – March 17, 2017)

Upon completion of the course, participants will be able to:

• Describe the processes involved in planning, implementing, and evaluating KMb strategies
• Assess the quality of evidence from a variety of sources and disciplines
• Recognize the contexts in which knowledge is created, validated, and used
• Identify the barriers and enablers to using and sharing evidence in different contexts and among different target audiences
• Create a KMb plan to inform or raise awareness
• Create strategies to collect, collate and package evidence in a way that makes it accessible and relevant to users
• Select appropriate tools and techniques to monitor and evaluate the success of KMb information sharing and awareness-raising efforts

Course 2

Engage: Building capacity to understand and use relevant evidence (September 18 – November 12, 2017)

Upon completion of the course, participants will be able to:

• Conduct stakeholder analyses to understand needs of target audiences, interest in and capacity to engage with the evidence
• Recognize individual, organizational and system-level barriers and enablers to using and applying evidence
• Create a KMb engagement plan
• Review various convening models (such as workshops and communities of practice) and facilitation techniques to support engagement with and dialogue around evidence
• Determine the various roles of KMb partners and practitioners in enhancing user engagement
• Select appropriate tools and techniques to evaluate the success of KMb engagement efforts

Course 3

Act: Transforming knowledge into action (January 21 – March 18, 2018)

Upon completion of the course, participants will be able to:

• Recognize the individual, organizational and system-level barriers to and enablers of evidence-informed action and change
• Create a KMb action plan to address these barriers and enable sustainable change
• Apply appropriate products and techniques to facilitate the transformation of evidence into action
• Select appropriate monitoring and evaluation techniques to assess the impact of KMb processes, including issues of attribution and sustainability
• Support the generation and implementation of complex KMb strategies, including program-level and organization-level KMb
• Use tools to support complex models of knowledge production, including ethics approval, collaboration agreements, and shared decision-making structures

For more information and to register, visit the Certificate in Knowledge Mobilization website.