Network

Using evidence to make a difference

‘Knowledge Mobilisation’ is the process of ‘translating’ or presenting research findings in a way that is usable and accessible to policy decision makers and the public.

Knowledge mobilisation is a key Health and Care Research Wales Evidence Centre strategy to maximise impact and public benefit.

The Centre works collaboratively with leaders in health and social care and other organisations to make sure our research findings are presented in the most accessible format possible.

The knowledge mobilisation or ‘dissemination’ methods we use are regularly adapted to meet the needs of the NHS, social care and the public.

These include:

  • Full reports | In-depth reports of our findings
  • Executive summaries | Two-page summaries of the key findings and policy and practice implications, in English and Welsh.
  • Lay Summaries | Written in non-technical language (300 words). Also available in English and Welsh.
  • Infographics | A single page information sheet using pictures and text to portray study aims and key findings.
  • Report library | A website with a searchable library of our studies. This includes both ongoing and completed studies.
  • Evidence briefings and presentations to relevant groups | These provide a platform for our researchers to present findings to key groups of stakeholders.
  • Public events | Open to everyone and generally consist of presentations focussed on sharing our work.
  • Public events | To let people know what we do and how they can be involved
  • Newsletters | Keep up to date with the work of the Centre and hear about news and upcoming events
  • Social media | To raise wider awareness of our work on Twitter
  • Conference posters | To provide a technical summary of research findings for an academic audience
  • Peer Reviewed Journal Articles

Impact

We work closely with members of the public, NHS and social care and Welsh Government, to ensure they have access to all our research findings.

We track the use of our research findings to ensure the ‘real-world’ impact of our work is evidenced and understood.

 

Wales COVID-19 Evidence Centre

The knowledge mobilisation processes and methods employed by the Evidence Centre were initially developed for the Wales COVID-19 Evidence Centre (WCEC).  During the pandemic, the knowledge mobilisation processes played a crucial role, bridging the gap between producing the research evidence and the evidence being used to inform decisions, ensuring the right information reached the right people at the right time.

Micaela Gal leads on knowledge mobilisation at the Evidence Centre, and has written a paper reflecting on the processes and lessons learned from the WCEC: Knowledge mobilisation of rapid evidence reviews to inform health and social care policy and practice in a public health emergency: appraisal of the Wales COVID-19 Evidence Centre processes and impact, 2021-23