Mobilizing Knowledge for Impact: New web series launches for 2025

As a researcher, have you found yourself wondering:

• Does sharing my research on social media lead to more engagement?
• How can I use clear language to tell the story of a project without oversimplifying what’s important?
• Who reads the Conversation Canada, and how do I pitch a story about my work? 
• How can I engage people about my research in a way that matters to them?

Mobilizing Knowledge for Impact (KMb’25) is a new webinar series hosted by the Knowledge to Impact (KI) team that will explore the answers to these questions. This series complements the Navigating Partnered Research series by focusing on tangible skills and activities to mobilize the knowledge from your work, together with your audiences and partners, to maximize research impact. 

Knowledge mobilization (KMb) at its core is about creating, sharing, and using knowledge to create significant impact. Regardless of your field, impact is likely why you choose to do the work you do. KMb involves all the activities and processes needed to get valuable information gained from research into the hands of people who may benefit from or be impacted by it.

This series aims to demonstrate how engaging with the right people at the right time, building awareness, co-creating and disseminating findings, and enabling the use of research knowledge can be leveraged to create meaningful outcomes. The topics covered include knowledge mobilization planning, leveraging social media for storytelling, crafting clear and engaging content, presenting research findings through impactful infographics, and effectively engaging with the media, among others.

“We are excited to launch the Mobilizing Knowledge for Impact series, focused on real-world examples of positive knowledge mobilization practices. With an excellent lineup of presenters, this series will delve into first-hand experiences of engaging with and reaching a variety of audiences in the ways that matter to them and to their communities,” says Stephanie Warner, Manager, Knowledge to Impact with the University of Calgary.

The webinar series is free and open to faculty members, academic and support staff, postdoctoral scholars, students, and community partners. Registration remains open throughout the full series so attendees can register for as many sessions as they like. 

KMb’25 Series Lineup:

• Knowledge Mobilization Planning and Strategy | Jan. 22, 1-2 p.m. | Register

Gain insights on planning and strategizing to maximize impact. This session will cover the basics of knowledge mobilization, including setting goals, identifying and analyzing audiences/partners, selecting appropriate activities, and evaluating success.

• Social Media | Feb. 6, 1- 2 p.m. | Register

Social media can open new pathways for telling stories and sharing data that leads to research impact. It also requires planning, patience, and some technical skills. Dr. Trevor Tombe Phd, Dr. Amy Metcalf and Samantha Paterson will lead this panel discussion on the various uses of social media, unexpected benefits and potential challenges. We will also share details on a few tools to create content, gather analytics and manage dissemination across platforms like X, LinkedIn and Facebook.

• Plain Language | Feb. 18, 1- 2 p.m. | Register

Join UCalgary News Managing Editor David Hedley for a session on the importance of clear, accessible writing in sharing your research story and reaching a wider audience. This session will provide tips and guidelines for plain language writing, along with tools to support your efforts.

• What in the World Café? | Mar. 4, 1- 2:30 p.m. | Register

This interactive webinar will cover the basics of community engagement and collaborative partnerships, the steps involved in the World Café method, and the potential impacts of World Cafés as a knowledge mobilization tool. Facilitators Tiffany Barbosa and Matthew Luzentales-Simpson from the Person-Centred Care Research Team will walk us through a “diet” World Café activity for a hands-on experience.

• Creating Infographics | Mar. 20, 10-11 a.m. | Register

Infographics provide valuable opportunities for effectively communicating research findings. This session, hosted by Data and Visualization Curator Dr. John Brosz PhD from Libraries and Cultural Resources, will introduce scholars to the fundamentals of creating infographics, including transforming complex data and research results into compelling visual content that resonates with diverse audiences. 

• Conversation Canada | Apr. 3, 11a.m- 12 p.m. | Register

Join Dr. Sheri Madigan PhD and an editor from The Conversation Canada for a session on the mission of The Conversation Canada, tips for pitching great story ideas, and the impacts of amplifying your work. 

• Speaking to Media/ Media Relations 101 | Registration coming soon