In a landscape where academics have made significant strides over the past decade to have their research break free from the confines of journals and conference halls, the College of Social and Applied Human Sciences (CSAHS) is reinforcing its commitment to ensuring that knowledge does not simply reside in academic circles and is actively mobilized to make a real world impact. And at a time when governments, industries, and communities are demanding evidence-based solutions, we have positioned ourselves as a leader in knowledge mobilization, transforming the way research is shared, applied, and understood.
“Knowledge mobilization has always been a critical part of our work, but we are seeing a culture shift from the ground up, where researchers are no longer treating it as simply the 'final step' in the research process. Instead, it’s becoming embedded into every stage, from grant development to project design to post-publication outreach.”
– Dr. Jess Haines, the College of Social and Applied Human Sciences' Associate Dean of Research and Graduate Studies.
Knowledge mobilization is central to the university’s strong institutional reputation, supported by a well-established network of resources for University of Guelph researchers. “While it may sound simple, supporting researchers is critical to translating complex findings into accessible formats and ensuring they reach those who can use them. Otherwise, the work will just stay in the academic circle of knowledge,” says Haines.
Leading the Way
CSAHS is proud to be home to the Community Engaged Scholarship Institute (CESI), one of the College’s most accomplished units. CESI advances the College’s knowledge mobilization by providing training, consultation, and support to researchers, contributing to CSAHS’s standing as a leading college at the University of Guelph, setting a benchmark for research excellence within the University community. At the heart of CESI’s mission lies a commitment to the collaborative co-production of knowledge, uniting University of Guelph academics with community-based practitioners. This partnership is a dynamic exchange that ensures tresearch is shaped by and relevant to the communities of knowledge-users and -holders with whom we collaborate.
“Our Knowledge Mobilization program [1] builds from the insight that collaboration is a pathway to robust, pertinent research... Understanding knowledge as something that is held in multiple locations and that takes many forms, we build research and knowledge mobilization strategies that build on the connections and relationships between people and organizations. This helps to ensure that campus and community partners are able to shape, access, and apply research findings, and enables research teams to spark evidence-informed transformations in policy and practice. Changes that matter in real lives and real communities.”
– Elizabeth Jackson, Director, Community Engaged Scholarship Institute (CESI)
Real-World Impact in Policy, Community, and Security
CSAHS researchers actively engage with government bodies to develop strategies for environmental adaptation, collaborate with community organizations to design mental health initiatives, and partner with industry to promote innovation. These collaborations are built on sustained trust and mutual respect. Our research has influenced provincial and national policy, with CSAHS researchers testifying at Senate and House committee meetings and policymakers referencing our work during legislative discussions. Local organizations have adopted evidence-based programs developed jointly with faculty members. National funding agencies have acknowledged our achievements, recognizing and supporting projects that demonstrate a strong commitment to impactful research.
Dr. Jennifer Silver’s [2] collaboration with Project Ploughshares [3] is a notable example of impact-oriented research. Dr. Silver, together with project lead Dr. Jessica West, is exploring “grey zone conflict”, a geopolitical phenomenon increasingly evident as countries jostle over and within shared global spaces like the Arctic, maritime, and outer space. They are particularly interested in how national security and environmental issues intersect in grey zone situations and how governments, researchers, NGOs and industry can communicate about them more effectively.
This Spring in Ottawa, Drs. Silver and West will host a two-day workshop designed to bring together academics, non-profit professionals, and staff from the Federal Department of National Defence. Their project findings will help develop plausible Canada-focused grey zone scenarios that participants can use to categorize risks and discuss possible communication strategies tailored to various audiences. The overall goal is to strengthen practices internal to government and the Armed Forces as well as support a more informed and resilient public.
Creating the Next Generation of Mobilizers
The College is dedicated to empowering students, early-career scholars, and established faculty with cutting-edge skills for successful knowledge mobilization. Through a range of dynamic offerings, including workshops, courses, and micro-credentials like CESI’s Skills for Research Impact workshop [4], where participants gain hands-on guidance from leading impact specialists. In collaboration with the Ontario Agri-Food Innovation Alliance and the Research Innovation Office, these sessions deliver actionable techniques for translating research into real-world outcomes, helping attendees master the art of knowledge mobilization and craft powerful plans for outreach and assessment. Moving beyond theory, the sessions will equip learners with effective strategies to communicate research and connect meaningfully with audiences outside academia, such as policy makers, industry leaders, and community advocates.
The Voice of Research in Traditional Media
The results are already visible in traditional media, with CSAHS experts frequently being quoted in the media as “experts in the field”. With today’s audience, the likes of media organizations such as The Conversation Canada [5], a national not-for-profit news and analysis publication, deliver expertise from the academic and research communities directly to the public. Author-generated concepts and independent writing allow researchers to deliver content while using the support and expertise of their team of professional editors to make their knowledge accessible to a broader public. In the Fall 2025 semester alone, we saw a number of CSAHS researchers [6] joining the Conversations network being picked up by media outlets across the country.
Our Commitment: Turning Knowledge into Action
The College’s commitment is hands-on and practical with the goal to bridge the gap between knowledge and action. The CSAHS Research Office offers researchers essential support, from grant applications and facilitated discussions to workshops and building strategies to maximize the potential for positive change.
CSAHS demonstrates that when knowledge mobilization is prioritized, not as a “last step”, but as a central mission, research can become a powerful force for both local and global impact. In an era defined by complex challenges, the College’s message is clear: knowledge must be mobilized!