EVENT DESCRIPTION

Join the Rotman Institute of Philosophy as we host a one-day research retreat for Western University researchers to explore the role that knowledge translation plays in our research ecosystem. Knowledge translation is a term that describes how knowledge is transferred from one domain or context to another. While the term is often used to describe the translation of research into practice in a clinical health care setting, it is increasingly used to describe how research knowledge is transferred across disciplinary, institutional, and policy contexts.

The retreat will consist of short presentations, panel discussions, and interactive conversations to foster cross-disciplinary dialogue.  

When: Thursday, May 21st, 9:00 am – 4:00 pm (exact times to be determined)
Where: WIRB 3000

Lightning Talks – Call for Proposals

One of our goals for the retreat is to explore what researchers mean by “knowledge translation.” Across different disciplines, the term is used in divergent and sometimes ambiguous ways. By bringing together researchers from across campus, we hope to develop a clearer account of what knowledge translation requires, what obstructs it, and the social and institutional conditions that enable successful knowledge translation. In doing so, we hope to examine how knowledge translation may be a constitutive feature of research itself rather than merely a downstream stage in the creation of knowledge.

We invite proposals for lightning talks (approx. 7 minutes) that engage with knowledge translation in one of the following contexts: 

1. Knowledge translation in interdisciplinary research. Interdisciplinary research depends on the transfer of knowledge between disciplines that often operate with distinct concepts, methods, evaluative standards, and values. For research to be genuinely interdisciplinary, it must support the transfer of knowledge across multiple domains. Presentations may reflect on how knowledge is transferred or transformed across disciplinary boundaries, what barriers prevent successful translation, and the conditions under which knowledge translation supports collaboration and shared understanding. 
2. Knowledge translation in policy contexts. Policy contexts require that research knowledge be made usable under conditions shaped by political climate, institutional constraints, and competing social values. Presentations may examine how evidence is translated into policy-relevant forms, how knowledge can inform actionable decision making, how experts interact with policy makers, and what is gained or lost when research knowledge is translated for policy use. 

Please submit a proposed presentation title and an abstract of approximately 200 words outlining the central question or argument you wish to present and its relevance to the retreat theme. Follow button below to submit a presentation proposal.  

Deadline for proposals is Friday, March 27th. Decisions about proposals will be made by Friday, April 17th. 

Proposals will be evaluated based on their relevance to the retreat’s focus, the clarity and originality of its central idea, and its potential to stimulate cross-disciplinary discussion. Because the retreat is designed to foster discussion and critical reflection, we welcome proposals at different stages of development including works in progress, reflections on successes or failures in knowledge translation work, practical insights into best practices, and emerging ideas. We encourage proposals from faculty members, graduate students, and university staff. 

Registration for the research retreat is required. Follow button below to register for the event. 

For inquiries, please contact Paul Arnold (parnold6@uwo.ca).