Shifting the Focus: Examining Knowledge Brokers’ Relational Ecosystems

• In Event: Saturday Roundtable Session 3:05 pm
  In Roundtable Session: Education Justice and Equity: Calls for Action in the Field of Educational Change and Beyond (Table 7)

Abstract

This multiple case study analyzes egocentric network survey and interview data from six equity-focused knowledge brokers to examine the characteristics of their partner networks (i.e., relational ecosystem) and how these networks shape their knowledge mobilization work. Findings suggest that these knowledge brokers drew on a relational ecosystem with heterogenous partners (i.e., organizations/ individuals with diverse foci, goals, organizational forms) characterized by strong ties (i.e., long-standing relationships, high frequency of interactions, connected through multiple ties). These strong ties allowed knowledge brokers to receive support and engage in exchanges that improved their knowledge creation and mobilization efforts. We conclude that, despite having heterogeneous relationships, these strong ties may create an enmeshed ecosystem in which new information is not likely to enter.

Authors

• Anita Caduff, University of Michigan

• Mimi Lockton, University of California - San Diego

• Alan J. Daly, University of California - San Diego

• Martin Rehm, University of Southern Denmark

• Lydia Romina Bornhaupt, University of Regensburg