KTT Case Study: Bridging the Science-to-Policy Gap in Agri-Food Public Health
Summary
Researchers developed a handbook to provide scientists with tools to more effectively translate research findings for policy-makers. The team then brought together 75 researchers and policy stakeholders in the agri-food public health sector for an interactive workshop. The workshop was designed to raise awareness of the new tool and increase capacity to translate scientific evidence into public policy.
Knowledge Translated and Transferred (KTT)
The project team found agri-food and public health researchers needed more sector-specific tools to translate their research for policy-makers. They determined that a handbook of KTT practices, specifically targeted to science-to-policy professionals, would help grow capacity for knowledge synthesis and transfer for more informed policy- and decision-making in agri-food public health.
Path to impact
How KTT Can Support Evidence Based Agri-Food Public Health Policy Development
- Identify knowledge gap. The researchers found that the context for this work was right: policy-makers in government identified a need for more evidence-based decisions.
- Summarize literature. The project team reviewed the literature and summarized the key principles, methods and practices for successful KTT (“how to ensure that relevant and credible research is generated and utilized to inform policy- and decision-making”).
- Collect feedback from stakeholders. The researchers conducted focus groups and in depth interviews with stakeholders in the agri-food public health sector to provide detailed information about needs, gaps and opportunities.
- Design product to meet specific needs. The literature review, focus groups and interviews with stakeholders informed the development of the handbook. The handbook contains easily accessible tools and guidance for policy-makers and researchers undertaking science to-policy work.
- Promote via outreach workshop. The project team held an interactive workshop with key science-to-policy stakeholders to promote uptake of the handbook and knowledge exchange among practitioners. A diverse group of 75 international, national and provincial science-to-policy professionals attended the workshop.
Main project innovation: Tailored science-to policy knowledge synthesis handbook
The main project innovation was Knowledge Synthesis, Transfer and Exchange in Agri-Food Public Health: A Handbook for Science to-Policy Professionals, specifically developed for science-to-policy professionals in agri-food public health to better understand how to approach knowledge synthesis, transfer and exchange. This handbook is located at a permanent link on the University of Guelph’s Atrium institutional repository.
The handbook offers an introduction to knowledge transfer and exchange (KTE), and includes methods for knowledge synthesis, transfer, dissemination, exchange, application and evaluation. It provides examples and practical exercises related to agri-food public health policy, making it particularly useful and accessible to the sector.
Positive impacts
Increased Capacity for Evidence-Based Policy
The handbook and workshop provided researchers with tools to more effectively communicate their work to policy professionals. The project provided in person training and reference materials for science-to-policy professionals, building capacity for evidence-based policy and decision-making.
“[Science-to-policy work] was already something that was gaining traction… so a lot of our government stakeholders were really keen on this and it coincided with more activity and push towards getting more value out of research, and being more evidence-based in decision [making].”
Ian Young (post-doctoral researcher on the project)
A Valuable Contribution to the KTT Literature
The handbook and the accompanying academic papers make a valuable and timely contribution to the KTT literature. These publications provided other agri food researchers who wanted to influence policy with guidance on how to develop products and original research in a format that is useful to policy-makers.
Highlighting best practices in KTT for agri-food and rural research
Best Practice 1: Knowing and targeting influencers
This project worked well because the researchers took time to understand influential members of their targeted group of science-to-policy professionals through interviews and focus groups. These perspectives directly shaped the crafting of the handbook for this audience. By targeting this stakeholder group, the researchers were able to create a product that supports the adoption of agri-food science in policy-making.
Best Practice 2: Building a project team with a broad network
The project team was built to include the Public Health Agency of Canada, a government organization that had access to the targeted stakeholders. The team was able to leverage these networks to market the handbook and to recruit science to-policy professionals at various levels of government to the capacity development workshop.
About this report
The Ontario Agri-Food Innovation Alliance is committed to “getting science off the shelf” to support a thriving agri-food sector and vibrant rural communities. This series of reports highlights the impact of research funded through the Alliance and illustrates best practices for enhancing research impact through knowledge translation and transfer (KTT). Many thanks to Prof. Scott McEwen (University of Guelph) and Ian Young (former post-doctoral researcher and currently professor at Ryerson University) for participating in interviews about the impacts of this project.
Bridging the Gap Between Science and Policy in the Agri-Food Sector through Knowledge Synthesis and Translation (KST) Support Tools
