Embedding “the K” in end-of-grant KT: Creating a culture of translation

Alison Palmer, MScManaging Director, CAREX Canada

Joanne M. Telfer, Anne-Marie NicolFaculty of Health SciencesSimon Fraser University

www.carexcanada.ca

Funded by:

Overview

2

Objective:

• Support those looking to better understand – and reduce or eliminate – exposures to carcinogens at work, in communities

One of the ways we’re meeting this objective:

• Engaged KTE: Working actively with groups to translate, interpret, and apply CAREX work

Challenge: 74 carcinogens, multiple audiences and needs, many possible avenues for exposure reduction, risk context

Audiences: research, policy, and program staff at F/P/T government ministries/agencies, professional groups, labour

Needs assessment shifts approach

Just started 4th year of KT mandate

• Initial team structure: KT team doing KT, researchers doing research

• What we found: need for close collaboration w/ users, support in interpretation, planning, action

• How we addressed this need: embedding “the K” in all KT activities, enhancing team capacity

How does this relate to sustainability?

• Ability to offer translated knowledge as well as expertise• Better equipped to galvanize groups working to prevent cancer• Building infrastructure for users to apply CAREX• Stronger relationships = helps to justify our existence• Side effects include:

• A networking function between users• Enhancing capacity for KT among researchers

Question posed

• What are the key features of a path to sustainability in terms of team culture and capacity?

• Contact: apalmer@carexcanada.ca @CAREXCanada