'Knowledge brokers’ make social science count
Released: 01 December 2011
A capacity audience of more than 200 people will attend the Bridging the Gap Between Research, Policy and Practice Conference organised by the ESRC Genomics Policy & Research Forum at the Royal Institute of British Architects, London on Wednesday 7 December 2011.
This event is designed for `knowledge brokers` an emerging species in the world of social science. Knowledge brokers are people or organisations whose role is to promote the exchange of information between research and policy communities. The conference is focussed on encouraging the sharing of expertise and best practice between professional `knowledge brokers’ and academic researchers who study knowledge exchange and research use in the social sciences.
Conference organiser Dr Christine Knight, ESRC Genomics Forum Policy Research Fellow said:
“This event highlights the importance of knowledge brokers across sectors in ensuring maximum impact from social science research. The overwhelming response to this event – the first of its kind – indicates the complexity of the ‘knowledge exchange’ process, and a real desire amongst those working in this emerging profession to ensure they are fully equipped for the challenge.”
The one-day conference features panel discussions with leading experts and offers participants a choice of over 20 sessions ranging from presentations of academic research to instructional workshops drawn from areas as diverse as child protection; the role of think tanks as research mediators; and developing countries. Activities examining the importance of social media, evaluating research impact and identifying the skills and qualities of the ‘boundary spanners’ - another term for knowledge brokers - are among the most popular.
Delegates include knowledge brokers and specialists from UK and international universities, government, charities, think tanks and the growing number of private consultancies.
Following the conference access to selected materials will be made available at www.genomicsnetwork.ac.uk/forum/
Contact name:
Alison Caldecott, Press and Communications Officer, Genomics Forum
Tel: 0131 651 4746, E-mail: alison.caldecott@ed.ac.uk
Note to Editors:
For Media attendance at the conference please contact Alison Caldecott, Press and Communications Officer, Genomics Forum
Tel: 0131 651 4746, E-mail: alison.caldecott@ed.ac.uk
Bridging the Gap Between Research, Policy and Practice: The importance of intermediaries (knowledge brokers) in producing research impact Conference
Thursday 7 December 2011 09:30 – 17.30
Venue: Royal Institute of British Architects (RIBA), 66 Portland Place, London W1B 1AD
Full Conference programme available at http://www.genomicsnetwork.ac.uk/media/Bridging_the_Gap_Programme.pdf
The ESRC Genomics Policy and Research Forum pioneers new ways to promote and communicate social science research on contemporary life sciences and ensures that research from the Genomics Network informs policy, scientific practices and public debate. Based at the University of Edinburgh, the Forum runs a programme of national and international activities to draw natural and social scientists, policy makers, regulators, civil society and business into an ongoing dialogue about the relationship between genomics and society. The Forum is part of the ESRC Genomics Network (EGN).
The Economic and Social Research Council (ESRC) is the UK's largest organisation for funding research on economic and social issues. It supports independent, high quality research which has an impact on business, the public sector and the third sector. The ESRC's total budget for 2011/12 is £203 million. At any one time the ESRC supports over 4,000 researchers and postgraduate students in academic institutions and independent research institutes.
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