TORONTO, Jan. 21, 2013 – York University and Wilfrid Laurier University have entered into an agreement that will help maximize the impact of faculty research using clear language research summaries, or ResearchSnapshots.
The agreement between the respective knowledge mobilization offices in each institution will provide a procedure for creating summaries of peer-reviewed research written in clear language, accessible to non-specialists.
ResearchSnapshots are summaries of research studies, providing the wider community with easily understandable information about relevant research and researchers. The ResearchSnapshot format was developed by York University as part of its Research Impact program. The effectiveness of the summary format has been validated by focus groups including policy makers, community practitioners, and university faculty.
"Linking our knowledge mobilization staff at Laurier with the established knowledge mobilization unit at York allows us both to mobilize knowledge to a greater number of Canadians,” said Abby Goodrum, vice-president Research at Laurier.
The agreement extends York’s knowledge mobilization work in research summaries, building on more than four years of experience with the clear language snapshots.
“York is proud of our leadership role in knowledge mobilization in Canada and acknowledges the responsibility that comes with it to collaborate with other universities and use knowledge mobilization to enable social innovation opportunities that can benefit all Canadians,” said Robert Haché, York’s vice-president Research & Innovation.
For Laurier, the partnership recognizes the need for strategic activities to engage the wider community in the research at Laurier.
“This partnership builds on Laurier’s 100-year history of engaging with community,” said Goodrum. “Translating peer-reviewed research from our faculty is an important way for our researchers to reach out beyond their academic communities and engage with citizens.”
Activity is scheduled to commence in February 2013, with training provided by Laurier knowledge mobilization officer Shawna Reibling, followed by summary development. The summaries will be hosted on the Scholars Commons @ Laurier repository (scholars.wlu.ca) through the Laurier Library.
Visit York University at http://www.yorku.ca/research/innovation/knowledgemobilization/ and Laurier’s Office of Research Services at http://www.wlu.ca/research for information about how knowledge mobilization works with researchers, community agencies, government and the private sector.
Wilfrid Laurier University is a leading Canadian university known for academic excellence and a culture that inspires lives of leadership and purpose. Laurier has a distinct commitment to teaching, research and scholarship, combined with a strong student focus, high levels of student satisfaction and a deep sense of community. Laurier’s innovative educational model purposefully integrates the academic learning experience with an experiential learning component.
The university has more than 17,000 students throughout its campuses in Waterloo and Brantford and locations in Kitchener and Toronto. The university celebrated its centennial in 2011.
York University is helping to shape the global thinkers and thinking that will define tomorrow. York’s unwavering commitment to excellence reflects a rich diversity of perspectives and a strong sense of social responsibility that sets us apart. A York U degree empowers graduates to thrive in the world and achieve their life goals through a rigorous academic foundation balanced by real-world experiential education. As a globally recognized research centre, York is fully engaged in the critical discussions that lead to innovative solutions to the most pressing local and global social challenges. York’s 11 faculties and 28 research centres are thinking bigger, broader and more globally, partnering with 288 leading universities worldwide. York's community is strong − 55,000 students, 7,000 faculty and staff, and more than 250,000 alumni.
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Media Contacts:
Janice Walls, Advisor & Deputy Spokesperson, Media Relations, York University
416-736-2100 ext. 22101 or wallsj@yorku.ca
Kevin Crowley, Director: Communications, Public Affairs & Marketing, Wilfrid Laurier University
519-884-0710 ext. 3070 or kcrowley@wlu.ca
