From Skills to Impact: Evolving Research Training for the Future
This next phase reflects the program's success while creating a more coordinated, accessible and impactful approach to KTT capacity-building across the University and the agri-food innovation ecosystem.
Launched in 2019 through a collaboration among the Community Engaged Scholarship Institute (CESI), the Research Innovation Office (RIO) and the Ontario Agri-Food Innovation Alliance, a collaboration between the Government of Ontario and U of G, the series has equipped student and faculty researchers with the skills required to move research beyond academic publications and into practice: a process known as knowledge translation and transfer (KTT).
Starting in the fall semester of 2026, the workshop series is evolving its “core” training to reach an even broader audience and align with other campus initiatives. In collaboration with Sustainable Food Systems for Canada (SF4C), the core series will be available in a free, online, on-demand format.
With this transition, the Skills brand will shift its focus to advanced and specialized training that responds to emerging needs and builds deeper competencies.
Skills by the numbers
- 23+ external organizations engaged
- Participants from industry, government, community groups and academic partners
- 2,700 participants over 7 years
- Sessions often attracted participants with Alliance funding
- 8 U of G Colleges
- Skills engaged participants from all U of G colleges
Why research impact skills matter
While researchers receive extensive training in conducting rigorous science, there are fewer opportunities to build expertise in knowledge mobilization, partner and end-user engagement, science communication and research impact planning.
By strengthening these skills, the Skills program has enhanced researchers' abilities to maximize the societal, economic and environmental impact of their work. It has also helped prepare graduate students and postdoctoral scholars for careers both within and beyond academia.
While the majority of participants in the series have been U of G graduate students and postdocs conducting work or research related to the agri-food sector, the workshops also engaged participants from industry, government, community groups and academic institutions, including:
- Bioenterprise Canada
- Colleges and universities (Conestoga College, McMaster University, Royal Roads University, University of Saskatchewan, Wilfrid Laurier University, Western University)
- Farming and agri-food industry associations (Dairy Farmers of Ontario, Northern Ontario Farm Innovation Alliance [NOFIA], Ecological Farmers Association of Ontario, Grain Farmers of Ontario, Ontario Soil and Crop Improvement Association [OSCIA], Ontario Soil Network, Certified Crop Advisor Association, CREATE Climate Smart Soils Program)
- Ontario Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Agribusiness
- International organizations (Oxfam Colombia)
- Schlegel–University of Waterloo Research Institute for Aging
- Upper Thames River Conservation Authority
- Vineland Research and Innovation Centre
In their own words
This research series is the best thing that I have enjoyed on campus. It was very valuable professional development. Each module, although independent with its full integrity of the topic at hand also represented a piece of the larger puzzle.
Ourlaine Pashley was a Master of Rural Planning and Development student in Dr. Ryan Gibson’s lab from 2018-2020.
The Skills for Research Impact programming series has been a great resource to support my work, particularly with the Dairy Modernization project. The sessions on Community Engagement, Evaluating KTT Activities, and KTT Strategies and Dissemination were particularly helpful in ensuring that we planned for these activities from the outset of the project, which is highly collaborative across multiple sectors. The series has also been instrumental in making connections with KTT experts who can further support our work.
Dr. Anna Schwanke is the Saputo Dairy Care Program Manager in the Ontario Veterinary College (OVC).
I found that the Skills for Research Impact Series - Planning for Research Impact provides a good introduction for faculty and student researchers on the importance of thinking about science impact ahead of their initial research design and expectations for implementation and uptake of results by end users.
If University of Guelph researchers have some exposure to concepts of dyadic and multistakeholder knowledge mobilization that puts "research into use" their processes and practice of research will benefit.
Not every graduate student has the benefit of extra-curricular skills training in research planning and management involving end users. In today's world of industry-led research partnerships and community-engaged scholarship such skills can set students up for success in their studies and future careers.
Dr. Helen Hambly is a Professor of Capacity Development & Extension in the School of Environmental Design and Rural Development.
The Skills for Research Impact series offered a clear and concise overview of the various aspects of knowledge mobilization work. The speakers were well-informed, providing the necessary framework while also situating it within real-life examples. The series provided the background needed for me to develop a plan for my organization's KM work and connected me with a subject matter expert who we will hire for a mentorship role.
Jessica Gale is the Knowledge Mobilization Manager at the Ecological Farmers Association of Ontario.
Looking ahead
Since 2019, the Skills series has equipped U of G faculty, research staff and graduate students with the practical skills needed to maximize the impact of their research beyond academia.
The program reflects the Alliance's longstanding commitment to knowledge translation and transfer (KTT), ensuring that research does not remain "on the shelf" but is translated into real-world benefits for producers, industry, policymakers, communities, and society.
As the series transitions into advanced sessions and continues to support SF4C’s micro-credential delivery, the strength of the University’s collaborative model ensures researchers have access to leading practices in knowledge mobilization and research impact, ultimately strengthening the culture of research excellence and innovation.
Core skills, new delivery model
SF4C - PROGRAMS – launched fall 2026
Be among the first to find out about the online modules:
Access free modules via the Pollinate platform
Find more information on the SF4C website
See the schedule for upcoming advanced workshops. Past advanced workshops included:
Arts-Based Research and Storytelling
Data Visualization
Infographic Development and Design
Digital Storytelling
Science to Policy
Event Planning and Facilitation
Podcasting
Social Media
Creating Fact Sheets and Policy Briefs
Accessible Knowledge Products
Op-Ed Writing
Working with the Media
