KMbeing

Knowledge Mobilization (KMb): Multiple Contributions & Multi-Production Of New Knowledge

Tag Archives: diversity

Sharing Knowledge Strengthens Understanding

Leave a Comment Posted by on May 16, 2013

???????????

Every act of knowledge sharing for social benefit creates new knowledge and strengthens understanding to make the world a better place.

knowledge, knowledge exchange, knowledge mobilization, making the world a better place, Quick Knowledge Thought, social collaboration , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,

Knowledge From & Beyond Tragedy

Leave a Comment Posted by on April 16, 2013

Boston Marathon bombing

We all speak from our own knowledge that comes from our own personal experiences. No one has the right to force, compel or inflict knowledge that may be harmful to another person. Today, I write this blog with a heavy heart after another bombing attack in this world has killed and injured many of our innocent fellow human beings at yesterday’s Boston Marathon.

This broader view of knowledge mobilization in this KMbeing blog has always been about sharing knowledge for social benefit to make the world a better place. I still hold that knowledge mobilization helps make the world a better place – as I believe all people, from around the world, have knowledge to share from their own experiences.

It’s how this knowledge is shared – for good or harm – that makes the difference, just as it is with any attitude or actions we take. The decision is up to you. When we share our knowledge, exchange our knowledge, mobilize our knowledge and create new knowledge for good, we can and do make a difference – despite the continuing tragedies that inflict harm in our world.

What we learn from our experiences – including the tragic ones – and how we use this knowledge to teach each other and create new knowledge from each other is what makes the difference between making our world a better place or giving up hope and giving in to the terror and fear created by those who refuse to do so.

It can be discouraging when such a tragedy as the Boston Marathon bombing occurs, and continues to shake our trust in our fellow human beings, just as it can be discouraging when we do share our knowledge and feel like it’s being ignored. But we must remember that knowledge sharing, exchange and mobilization is not a one-way action, nor a one-time action. Knowledge mobilization is inherently multi-directional and multi-participatory – focused on change for good and not harm for everyone in this world as long as it takes.

Just as the many blood-stained flags from the many countries around the world represented the many people who came together in a spirit of friendly competition, strength and endurance to show our diversity – it also shows our common humanity.

When another senseless attack on innocent people occurs in our world and we become shaken again, shocked again, angered again – we begin to doubt, wondering what’s the point?

Yes, there are those who wish to do harm in this world, but we must always remember there are millions more who wish to help and heal. Just look at those brave and heroic individuals who ran to help those injured individuals right after the bombs went off instead of running the other way. We may not all have that type of bravery and heroism, but we can contribute to this type of goodness in our own way when we share our knowledge for good and not harm. We will never overcome those who tragically cause terror if we are never willing to make change by our own knowledge, our own actions in our own lives by learning to use our knowledge throughout this world together.

Call me idealistic if you want. I will continue to point to the broader and foundational message and reason for knowledge mobilization: to put our available knowledge from all sources and individuals on this planet into active service to benefit society – not just one society – but ultimately all human beings.

It’s not about religion. It’s not about race. It’s not about culture. It’s not about politics. It’s about knowledge mobilization to make the world a better place.

inspirational, KMb, knowledge, knowledge exchange, knowledge mobilization, making the world a better place, policy, social collaboration , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,

Start With The Knowledge You Have

Leave a Comment Posted by on April 11, 2013

change the world

Remember, changing the world and harmful social conditions doesn’t depend on who you are or what you own – it depends mostly on the knowledge you share – whatever that knowledge is – if it’s intended for benefit and not for harm.  You change the world by using even the “limited” knowledge you have.  Start by being you with the knowledge you have…and keep going.

knowledge, knowledge exchange, knowledge mobilization, making the world a better place, Quick Knowledge Thought, social collaboration , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,

140 Twitter Characters To Knowledge Mobilization – Revisited

1 Comment Posted by on April 5, 2013

How have traditional models of research and dissemination changed to present new knowledge to the public or further inform research by creating broader public engagement?  Many researchers – particularly in the health sciences – are still embedded in long-established values and approaches to methodology and validity, often overlooking new modes of knowledge mobilization such as social media.

NCE Logo

One of my recent KMbeing blog posts presented a very brief Twitter survey of the 16 classic Networks of Centres of Excellence in Canada (NCE). The survey found that many of these NCEs are still not effectively using Twitter as a valuable social media tool that can enhance knowledge mobilization strategies. This quick overview showed that of those NCEs that could actually be found on Twitter only four NCEs tweet an average of just over one tweet per day – which is clearly insufficient for effective social media and potential stakeholder engagement. It would appear that using Twitter as part of a knowledge mobilization strategy is clearly not on the radar screen of many of these NCEs, despite the potential of Twitter (and social media) as a valuable means of addressing key outcomes mandated for NCEs – including working with end users to accelerate the creation and application of new knowledge.

To be fair, my own quick methodology of the previous survey focused on the average number of tweets per day over a 30 day period from the 14th February 2013 to the 15th March 2013.  The average number of tweets in a month was then divided by 30 to get the average number of tweets per day. Although the Twitter profile start date for each NCE was included along with the actual total number of tweets since each NCE began tweeting, this was not considered when doing the first brief survey.

So now, for part two of the original blog post survey 140 Twitter Characters To Knowledge Mobilization, I present a somewhat deeper (though still brief) analysis that takes into consideration the length of time each of these classic NCEs have used Twitter.

I used timeanddate.com to calculate the total number of days from the start date of each NCE Twitter profile to the 15th of March 2013 (up to and including March 15th to be consistent with the first survey). Then the total number of tweets since each NCE joined Twitter was divided by the total number of days each NCE has been using Twitter to create a tweet-intensity score.

Each NCE was then ranked, showing the following results:

Twitter Intensity Scores NCEs

 

                  

(Click on diagram above to enlarge)

Tweet-Intensity Ranking:

  1. Allergy, Genes and Environment Network – AllerGen
 @AllerGen_NCE

(funding to 2019)

0.96
  1. AUTO21 Network of Centres of Excellence
 @AUTO21NCE 

(funding to 2015)

0.83
  1. ArcticNet
 @ArcticNet

(funding to 2018)

0.81
  1. Canadian Arthritis Network – CAN 
 @commcan

(funding to 2014)

0.80
  1. Stem Cell Network – SCN
 @StemCellNetwork

(funding to 2015)

0.73
  1. Carbon Management Canada – CMC
 @cmc_nce

(funding to 2013)

0.47
  1. Canadian Stroke Network – CSN 
 @strokenetwork

(funding to 2015)

0.37
  1. NeuroDevNet
 @NeuroDevNet

(funding to 2014)

0.34
  1. Canadian Water Network – CWN
 @CdnWaterNetwork

(funding to 2015)

0.28
  1. BioFuelNet 
 @BioFuelNet

(funding to 2017)

0.13
  1. Graphics, Animation and New Media Canada – GRAND
 @GRAND_NCE

(funding to 2014)

0.10
  1. Canadian Photonic Industry Consortium – CPIC 

Not Found

(no longer funded)

0.0
  1. GEOmatics for Informed DEcisions Network – GEOIDE 

Not Found

(no longer funded)

0.0
  1. Marine Environmental, Observation, Prediction and Response Network – MEOPAR 

Not Found

(funding to 2017)

0.0
  1. Mprime Network Inc.

Not Found

(funding to 2014)

0.0
  1. Technology Evaluation in the Elderly Network – TVN 

Not Found

(funding to 2017)

0.0

Although it’s still a simple calculation from the total number of tweets since each NCE started using Twitter, the current results show a more accurate tweet-intensity over time, with one of the NCEs – AllerGen – ranking first and showing a fairly impressive use of tweeting for the shorter amount of time on Twitter.
(It would be interesting to include the number of followers into the mix to see if that variable contributes to tweet effectiveness – but I’ll save that for a future blog post!).

However, results still show that the average number of tweets per day still remains well under the evidence that a minimum of at least ten tweets per day creates more valuable engagement and greater opportunities for knowledge dissemination. There’s still room for improvement to create greater social media engagement for more effective knowledge mobilization.

Just as a comparison, I decided to look at the results for Canada’s leading knowledge mobilization network ResearchImpact and my own KMbeing Twitter account.

Twitter Profile Twitter Name Twitter Start Total Days On Twitter Total Tweets Tweet-Intensity Score
ResearchImpact @researchimpact May 15, 2009

1401

9450

6.74
KMbeing @kmbeing March 25, 2010

1087

9982

9.18

researchimpact

KMbeing logo

(Perhaps this is the reason why both ResearchImpact and KMbeing were voted in the top ten Canadian Knowledge Mobilization Influencers for 2011 and 2012).

Canadian policymakers and government agencies have recognized the value of drawing together leading researchers and research institutions into national research networks to support trans-disciplinary and multi-sectoral collaboration.  The effectiveness of these research networks are also a great example to the rest of the world.  It’s a first step towards incorporating knowledge mobilization into strategic planning to successfully increase communication and collaboration among a variety of stakeholders. It’s a changing research model using networking as part of the research process.

The next step for Canada’s flagship Science & Technology networks is to increase the use of social media for knowledge mobilization.  Again, social media is not a fad, and the use of social media for academics and institutions is becoming more incorporated into strategic planning. Many researchers and academic institutions are recognizing the value of using Twitter in a more consistent and productive manner for knowledge mobilization.

David Phipps

As David Phipps, Executive Director of Research and Innovation Services at York University (and ResearchImpact) pointed out in a keynote address to the Canadian Knowledge Mobilization Forum in 2012 (and posted on the blog MobilizeThis!), the future of knowledge mobilization and research engagement will depend on social media, but researchers and knowledge mobilizers are still trying to figure out how to effectively use social media to do this.

“15-20 years ago IT folks had to develop a business case to convince corporate leaders to invest in an enterprise e mail system. Today e mail is a fact of life (unfortunately). Many of us are now using social media as a broadcasting tool and a large portion are also using it as a listening tool. We are now starting to figure out how to use social media as a tool for engagement but we’re not there yet. These trends will accelerate.”

Just as email changed society, so too is social media changing the traditional models of research, dissemination and engagement. Social media provides new modes of knowledge exchange and broader public input, creating a further research resource in the current KMb world as a way of providing broader participation in discussions around research topics.  Social media also breaks down international barriers to share academic research in a way that is more friendly and immediate to a wider audience. Yet, social media is still a tool that needs to be used correctly to be effective (see my previous blog for tips on how to do this).

Canada’s Networks of Centres of Excellence are making a start.  They just need to continue to take a few more steps forward into new modes of research and into the future of using social media – especially Twitter – for knowledge mobilization.

digital technology, KMb, knowledge, knowledge exchange, knowledge mobilization, making the world a better place, policy, research, social collaboration, social media, social media tools, Today's Knowledge Inspiration, Uncategorized , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,

No Knowledge Being Shared By Two People Are The Same

Leave a Comment Posted by on March 23, 2013

snowflakes

No two people are the same and no knowledge being shared by two people are the same. It’s impossible to say that all knowledge can ever be the same. Individual experiences and contexts create different knowledge.  Each person has different realities and perceptions. It may be possible to draw general similarities in knowledge and it’s always much easier to find differences in knowledge; but how an individual chooses to share their knowledge to find common ground for social benefit is what makes a difference. Learning to co-create new knowledge from diverse knowledge sources for everyone’s benefit is what makes the world a better place.

Individual Knowledge Mobilization, inspirational, KMb, knowledge, knowledge mobilization, making the world a better place, Quick Knowledge Thought, social collaboration , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,

Equality Of Knowledge vs Equity Of Knowledge

1 Comment Posted by on March 15, 2013

equality-vs-equity

Not all knowledge is of the same value – but all knowledge for social benefit can contribute to making the world a better place.  The difference between equality of knowledge and equity of knowledge is providing opportunities to level the playing field in sharing knowledge.

Individual Knowledge Mobilization, knowledge, knowledge exchange, knowledge mobilization, making the world a better place, Quick Knowledge Thought, social collaboration , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,

Knowledge Is Not Solid

1 Comment Posted by on March 11, 2013

flow

Knowledge is not solid. When exposed to the knowledge of other people, knowledge morphs – by the very act of sharing knowledge – into an ongoing, flowing and ever-changing form.

knowledge, knowledge exchange, knowledge mobilization, making the world a better place, Quick Knowledge Thought, social collaboration , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,

The Persistence Of Sharing Knowledge

Leave a Comment Posted by on March 9, 2013

persistence

When we persist in sharing knowledge for social benefit it becomes easier for us to do.  Not that the nature of the knowledge has to be earth-shattering, but it’s the ongoing action of taking steps to contribute to greater knowledge for good that makes the world a better place. Any bit of knowledge shared for social benefit can make a difference.

I’ll never know what knowledge I may have gained if I had other opportunities in my life. But life is about choices, and I’ve made the choice many times to give something up in favor of something else, and in the process, making new knowledge connections while missing others. That doesn’t mean that the knowledge that I have shared or gained can’t continue to make a difference. It’s all about the persistence of continuing to share the knowledge I have and be open to the knowledge of others that makes the difference.

This persistence in sharing knowledge reminds me of when I first started writing my knowledge mobilization (KMb) KMbeing blog. My first blog post on April 3rd 2010 was a first step into the unknown as I wondered if my knowledge sharing could make a difference. Almost anyone can write a blog and share knowledge. It’s the persistence in adding a new post at regular intervals that has helped me recognize that I can make a difference for good that makes the world a better place. By consistently sharing my knowledge and learning from the knowledge of others each day over the past few years, I have been able to connect with people from over 140 countries, and gained recognition as one of Canada’s top ten knowledge mobilization influencers.

Sharing bits of my knowledge on my blog has invariably become much easier for me simply due to persistence – and I believe this can happen for almost anyone if they persist in continuing to share their own knowledge and be open to the knowledge of others.

As we share our knowledge more openly with each other, our world becomes more connected, which can lead to greater recognition of our diversity and our common humanity – ultimately leading to greater understanding, and hopefully a world of greater harmony. 

Unfortunately, though, many people feel the discomfort and insecurity of sharing their own knowledge and they quit (or don’t even start) before they ever give their knowledge the opportunity to contribute to social benefit – they quit before their chances increase.

Public speakers grow by speaking, writers grow by writing, bloggers grow by blogging – knowledge grows by sharing. In whatever manner you want to share your own knowledge, just start and it can make a difference. The more we do something, the better we get at it and the easier it becomes for us. That temptation to give up is simply avoiding the discomfort or insecurity of believing in the power of one’s own knowledge to make a difference. It’s about not second-guessing that somehow even the “limited” knowledge we think we may have can’t connect with someone else’s knowledge and move towards making a difference in this world. It’s all about the persistence of sharing knowledge for social benefit that can make the difference.

Individual Knowledge Mobilization, KMb, knowledge, knowledge exchange, knowledge mobilization, making the world a better place, social media, social media tools, Today's Knowledge Inspiration , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,

Your Unique Knowledge Fingerprint

Leave a Comment Posted by on February 16, 2013

Finger print tree

A person’s knowledge may be called ignorant, useless, mocked and devalued, but our knowledge – stemming from all of our personal life experiences – is always knowledge, and is always our own knowledge.

Others can say all the negative things they want about you and your knowledge, but the only way that it will affect you is if you allow their words to affect you.  Again, your knowledge is your own knowledge, all the good, bad and ugly of the experiences that make up all of your knowledge in your lifetime. Just as your fingerprint is unique to you – so too is your knowledge to share with others.

Your knowledge – any of it at anytime in your life experience – can always teach others something, whether you think it’s “limited” or not.  

But knowledge on its own, without turning it into action is limited. It’s like having hands and fingers (and fingerprints) without ever using them.

It’s how we share our knowledge; combine our knowledge to make the world a better place that creates the most value.

Some people are so insecure that they try to hurt others by knocking even the slightest amount of knowledge that a person may have, to take away their dignity or self-esteem.  But if we believe a cruel, insecure person’s view that our knowledge is useless, if we let them take away our dignity, what does that say about how we see our own knowledge, about how we see ourselves?

People have acquired knowledge in war, in prison, in concentration camps, in abuse, in difficult social situations, in loss, in love, in friendship, in ignorance, in education, in failure and in success – why shouldn’t we value any of the knowledge we have where we are, right here and right now? 

But again, knowledge on its own, without turning it into action is limited.

A person’s knowledge always has some value. Sharing our knowledge for social benefit creates greater value, and is always worth it. When we share our knowledge with this understanding and intention – we can use our own knowledge to make the world a better place.

inspirational, KMb, knowledge, knowledge exchange, knowledge mobilization, making the world a better place, social collaboration, Today's Knowledge Inspiration , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,

Your Unique Knowledge Role In The Human Knowledge Destiny

1 Comment Posted by on February 9, 2013

diversity

Each person has a unique knowledge role in life. Don’t waste your time and tears trying to gain knowledge to be like someone else. Be proud of your own knowledge – no matter how “limited” it may seem at anytime. But reach further for knowledge, share your own knowledge, and learn from the knowledge of others to make something better for yourself, as yourself.

Yet, don’t stop there.

Combine your unique knowledge – no matter where you are in life – to create new knowledge with others. It’s then that you will find the knowledge role you are meant to have in life – as we all strive together to reach our overall human knowledge destiny to make this world a better place.

I’ve known so many people who have pursued things in life that seemed so far away from whom they are as people because someone else told them their knowledge wasn’t “good enough.” It becomes sad. Or other people who have simply given up. I’ve seen people who have wonderful knowledge filled with personal life experiences – tragic and successful – who try hard to become “more intelligent” because they believe the current knowledge they have has absolutely no value.

Then there are others who try to use their knowledge simply because they selfishly want to make a lot of money.  Sharing knowledge can make people wealthier, but is this type of knowledge sharing contributing to making the world a better place for everyone? Knowledge is being used as a human commodity not a human commonality.

It’s a great challenge to uncover our authentic selves and to develop confidence in our own knowledge through our own unique life experiences that reflects our own authenticity.

The uniqueness and authenticity of your personal knowledge are some of the most important things to recognize on your life journey to become the person you were born to be.  It’s easy to pursue things we think would make us “more knowledgeable” like other people, or pursue knowledge strictly for financial profit. But not recognizing the value of our own knowledge – here and now – does not reflect who we are as an authentic person, as each of us has authentic knowledge.

Unfortunately, I’ve spent time in my life trying to become some things that I thought others wanted me to be, and that I simply wasn’t meant to be.  And I spent time in the past thinking my knowledge had no value. While I don’t fully regret the time I spent trying to fulfill the expectations of others – as it has contributed to my life experience and the knowledge I have now – I sometimes wonder what I could have done for myself had I spent that time trying to gain knowledge strictly for myself, while also valuing my own knowledge.

We all have our strengths and our weaknesses, and it’s a shame when we spend valuable time and energy on trying to be what others expect us to be by focusing on our knowledge “weaknesses” and devaluing our unique knowledge experiences.  When we’re able to focus on the unique contributions to knowledge that each of us can make in life, we accomplish more and grow more in the knowledge role we are meant to have in life – And it’s in the personal recognition of the value of our own knowledge that we can then connect to our overall human knowledge destiny on this planet. 

inspirational, KMb, knowledge, knowledge exchange, knowledge mobilization, making the world a better place, social collaboration, Today's Knowledge Inspiration , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,

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