Funders at the Interface: How Social Science Funding Agencies Are Contributing to Research Impact Agendas

• In Event: AERA Poster Session 6
  In Poster Session: Division J Poster Session: Policy, Finance, and Economics

Abstract

Researchers are under increasing pressure to mobilize their research more widely with non-academic audiences and to trace the impact of their work in broader society, efforts we call Knowledge mobilization (KMb). This study presents data from an environmental scan of how 45 social science funding agencies globally are promoting (through requirements for researchers) and supporting (through agency initiatives) KMb and research impact agendas. Our findings suggest a lack of clarity around the conceptualization and operationalization of KMb and research impact. Agency initiatives often focus on communication of research rather than more robust capacity-building efforts for universities and researchers. We argue that funders are well situated to assist researchers in developing skills to increase KMb efforts, ultimately, to improve societal outcomes.

Authors

• Amanda Cooper, Queen's University

• Stephen William MacGregor, University of Toronto