KMbeing

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

Tag Archives: Michael Johnny

Merry Knowledge Mobilization (KMb)

Leave a Comment Posted by on December 20, 2011

I recently took to the ice to teach some knowledge brokers from York University’s KMb Unit how to curl – very, very basic lessons like how not to fall flat on your ass when on the ice.  It was part of their annual KMb Summit.

Curling – like knowledge mobilization (sharing knowledge for social benefit) – is another of my hobbies in life.

To all of my dedicated KMbeing blog followers and to new followers – I wish you all the very best for the holiday season and all the very best for knowledge mobilization in 2012!

And from KMbeing.com !

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Featuring A Knowledge Mobilizer: Michael Johnny

2 Comments Posted by on February 25, 2011

Michael Johnny is one of Canada’s top and most respected university-based Knowledge Brokers. He is also Manager of the Knowledge Mobilization (KMb) Unit at York University. As a Knowledge Broker, Michael works as a bridge between researchers at York University and research stakeholders. Michael facilitates university outreach collaboration and knowledge mobilization within the community of York Region and Toronto. He helps create partnerships designed to support research to better inform public policy or professional practice. His background in literacy working at Toronto’s AlphaPlus Centre for the Deaf, Native, Francophone, and Anglophone communities has provided an excellent foundation for effective communication and bridging required to work with the diverse sectors of researchers and community stakeholders.

Michael’s work also extends beyond the university and York/Toronto region across Canada working with ResearchImpact – Canada’s Knowledge Mobilization network. Michael helped build the Knowledge Mobilization Unit at York and the inclusion of six other Canadian universities (and growing) as part of the ResearchImpact network.

Also under Michael’s guidance at the KMb Unit, future policy-makers are trained by giving graduate students and post-doctoral fellows valuable experience working with a variety of stakeholders. The KMb Unit equips research trainees and their research collaborators with broader skill sets which they can then take into positions in the public, private, and voluntary sectors.

Apart from one of Michael’s hobbies mentioned in this KMbeing blog, some of his other passions (besides knowledge mobilization) include golf, cooking and red wine. See Michael’s description in his own words here.

Michael Johnny is one of the most genuinely friendly, kind and considerate people I know, and  I’m please to present him as part of my series Featuring a Knowledge Mobilizer.

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Knitting Knowledge Mobilization

2 Comments Posted by on February 23, 2011

Do you knit? Do you like to turn yarn or thread into warm, comfortable clothing or snuggly blankets? I’d like to dedicate this blog to all of the knitters out there. Quite surprisingly, for some reason, I’ve found many of my colleagues in Knowledge Mobilization (KMb) are genuine “dyed-in-the-wool” regular knitters. Is there some sort of strange connection between people who enjoy knitting and knowledge mobilization? Probably not. However, it’s suspicious that both knitting and knowledge both begin with silent Ks! All humour aside, it appears that knitting remains a very popular hobby.

One of my dedicated blog and Twitter followers (whom I also follow regularly) is Bonnie Zink (on Twitter @BonnieZink). Bonnie is a writer, editor and a knowledge translation & exchange specialist, as well as being a social media enthusiast interested in Knowledge Mobilization. Her Twitter profile says she “loves to indulge in knitterly obsessions” which is clearly seen in Bonnie’s blog Stitching in Saskatoon.

Bonnie’s knitting blog is so popular that this past weekend, Bonnie tweeted: “A new “record!” Over 400 reads of the blog this weekend. Thanks! I take it as a sign that you enjoy what I #write. http://bit.ly/8oDKK4”.

Apparently there are more hits to knitting blogs than knowledge mobilization blogs! Why do you suppose that is? I’ve checked with many of my fellow KMb bloggers and they admit they rarely come close to that number on any weekend or daily level. Congrats Bonnie!

Another Twitter follower (and whom I also follow regularly)  is an educator, academic career coach and regular knitter is Jo Vanevery http://jovanevery.ca/ (on Twitter @jovanevery). Jo’s postings are always thought-provoking and helpful to those seeking academic direction, guidance and information. Amusingly, Jo continues to pepper several of her enjoyable academic blog posts with mentions of knitting.

And knitting is also the hobby of two of Canada’s top knowledge brokers,  Michael Johnny (on Twitter @mobilizemichael), and  Krista Jensen (on Twitter @atomickitty), whom I work with at the Knowledge Mobilization Unit at York University – and also part of ResearchImpact, Canada’s Knowledge Mobilization Network. I’ve never seen them knitting at work, but both tell me it’s a leisurely pleasure they enjoy. (To see some of Krista’s knitting projects link here http://www.flickr.com/photos/86079743@N00/sets/72157622667413246/). There’s even a social networking site for knitters and crocheters called Ravelry.

Although I’m not a knitter, I did a little research. Did you know that originally, knitting was a male-only occupation? The first knitting trade guild was started in Paris in 1527. Today, thankfully and rightfully, it’s good to see woman are now as included in formally contributing knowledge as they are in knitting. It’s also good to see that men are also still knitting. I’ve been known to see a KMb connection in almost anything to help explain what Knowledge Mobilization is. So here goes with knitting…

You probably know that the yarn in knitted fabrics follows a meandering path, forming symmetrical loops around a path of yarn. These meandering loops can be stretched easily in different directions, giving knitting much more elasticity (and strength) than many woven fabrics. Depending on the yarn and knitting pattern, knitted garments can stretch as much as 500%. There are also many hundreds of different knitting stitches used by knitters, and different ways to insert the needle into the stitch.

So let’s say Knowledge Mobilization (KMb) is a process like knitting. Just as knitting relies on the continuous stitching of symmetrical loops, KMb relies on the continuous action loops of informing and being informed. As each stitch is knitted and stretched in different directions, so too is knowledge expanded when turned into action through mobilization.

Like the many types of stitching with many different types of threads, KMb includes many different knowledge sectors and individuals (cultures, communities, beliefs, academia, organizations, associations) brought together to be woven into a valuable knowledge fabric for the benefit of society.

My analogy might be a stretch (oh groan!), but like a path of yarn, knitting and knowledge through focused stitching and mobilization can create value that can move, extend and provide something good for others.

And as knitter and knowledge mobilizer Bonnie Zink says… “Happy stitching!”

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Free Knowledge Mobilization with a Social Media Strategy

5 Comments Posted by on June 4, 2010

My grandmother always said, “give a little for free and you’ll get alot in return beyond yourself.”

I volunteered at a number of places throughout my life, thinking about “good karma” or giving  back to worthy causes. Yet, what started out as a volunteer position at York University’s  Knowledge Mobilization Unit is starting to turn into an aspiring career choice. In 2007 an offer to work (gratis) contributing to ResearchImpact created an opportunity to combine my interests in research, social media, human behaviour and the use of knowledge – in the multi-abbreviated world of KMb, KT, KE or KTE (your choice).

Coming from a fresh degree in Psychology, and work on a research project investigating the practical use of research findings within York’s Department of Psycholgy helped convince York’s Manager of Knowledge Mobilization, Michael Johnny,  to take me on. And (“bah-rump-bum-bum-bah” – sing the jingle if you want), I’m loving it. (I hope you got that free pop-culture reference, and  I won’t have to pay for infringing any copyright laws).

In a way (as Angie Hart would say about knowledge brokers who make connections), I am a “boundary-spanner” in my efforts to combine university research within the community of social media. I work (volunteer) for a university while also being immersed within community as an upaid Digital Researcher (I’m still waiting for any job offers!). My efforts present what is at the heart of knowledge mobilization – multidisciplinary collaboration between university and community-based research, and a contributional exchange of experience, skills and interests from both those inside and outside of academia.

Digital technology is ubiquitous. Researchers and brokers who are savy in recognizing the significance of using social media as part of a knowledge mobilization strategy are forging new paths of academic openness and community collaboration.  I feel privileged to be part of a KMb team using a digital strategy in ways such as this,  this, this and this. I’ve seen first hand how adopting readily available digital tools like Google Earth or Twitter are valuable.  They can be used for something as easy as visualizing patterns of brokering projects/KMb networks to informing and exchanging knowledge via microblogging.  Such social media research tools are changing the expediency and way we think about how research is pursued and collaborated. Research must be inclusive of the benefits and ever-present influence of digital media in our every-day lives to inform future research practices.

I enjoy the opportunities that come with engaging and working with other knowledge mobilizers across Canada and internationally – especialy by means of social media. Don’t get me wrong;  I like face-to-face communication and recognize its necessity, but I’m eager to spread the word about doing research using social media and including social media.

Yes, there are necessary costs to research; grant applications need to be done and not many researchers are willing put in volunteer time. But, it’s important to make use of the current “freebie” elements of digital technology as a vehicle for knowledge mobilization – at no cost. Incorporating a social media strategy in research projects enhances research. It provides a more expedient means of communicating findings over a wider audience – and in turn – is informed by the social media audience contributing to further research and connections.

Grandma isn’t around to know how far digital technology has evolved and shapes our lives today, but the message is still the same…give a little (knowledge mobilization) for free (using social media) and you’ll get alot in return beyond yourself.

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