Program

Connecting the dots: knowledge brokering for impact and innovation will offer EMCRs the opportunity to learn the diversity of types, roles and skills within knowledge brokering. While virtual, this symposium has been designed to be a ‘hands-on’ workshop-style experience.

Knowledge brokering practitioners and experts across a range of disciplines will provide EMCRs with a diverse breadth of perspectives on knowledge brokering in practice, tools and emerging theories through their talks. Q&A panel discussions and interactive break-out sessions will enable participants to dive deeper into these ideas, gaining a better understanding of knowledge brokering, and their own skills and interests. 

By the end of these four sessions, participants will have had the opportunity to engage in the practice of knowledge brokering, to have shared experiences and learnt from experts, and to have considered what the future of knowledge brokering in Australia might look like.

Download full program (PDF)

What? 

Tuesday 15 February 2022 

What is Knowledge Brokering? What role does it play in creating science impact and innovation? 

This session will introduce what knowledge brokering is, and the role it plays in enhancing science impact and innovation. We will highlight the variety of roles and types of knowledge brokering, from translating science to brokering innovative solutions in transdisciplinary teams for complex challenges, and the full spectrum in between. Through a panel presentation and Q&A followed by interactive activity you will understand the breadth that is knowledge brokering, including where your current activities may fit into knowledge brokering or what aspects of knowledge brokering you may aspire to pursue. 

In this session, you'll hear from:

  • Corey Tutt, Deadly Science
  • Professor Gabriele Bammer, Australian National University
  • Dr Jack Auty, University of Tasmania
  • Dr Sara Mynott, University of Victoria
  • Dr Ian Macadam, University of NSW

Why? 

Tuesday 22 February 2022 

Why is knowledge brokering important for impact and innovation?   

In this session we will explore the question of why knowledge brokering is important to science impact and innovation. A panel presentation and Q&A will showcase what knowledge brokering adds to research activities and the outcomes that can be achieved through the inclusion of knowledge brokering. An interactive breakout will allow you to further explore the role and impact of knowledge brokering in real-life examples.   From this session, you will understand the value that knowledge brokering brings to projects, the outcomes that can be achieved through knowledge brokering and begin identifying where knowledge brokering may help your own research.  

In this session, you'll hear from:

  • Associate Professor Felecia Watkin Lui, James Cook University 
  • Paul Hedge, University of Tasmania
  • Dr Barbara King, Geosocial Technologies
  • Mandy Hopkins, University of Southern Queensland 
  • James Butler, CSIRO

How?

Tuesday 1 March 2022 

How do I become a knowledge broker? What skills, capabilities and competencies do I need?  

During this session participants will become familiar with the range of skills, capabilities and competencies common to knowledge brokers. The skills-focused plenary and breakout sessions will allow you to practice specific skills and consider how different knowledge brokering contexts might require slightly different skill sets. We will also discuss the importance of bringing diverse skill sets to complex problems via knowledge brokering teams. From this session, you will reflect on the skills you currently have and what further skills you may focus on developing for the type of knowledge brokering roles you want to do. 


Where to next?

Tuesday 8 March 2022 

How do I become a knowledge broker? How can I involve knowledge brokers in my research? Where can I learn more about career and professional development opportunities for knowledge brokers?  

Knowledge brokering is an emerging and growing field. In this final session, we discuss where the field of knowledge brokering is going and its importance in addressing local and global challenges of the future. Panel presentations, Q&A and discussion will provide you with ideas and resources to help you begin or continue developing as a knowledge broker. 

From this session, you will better understand how you can apply all that you’ve learnt over the symposium, options for where you can go to continue growing your knowledge brokering skills, and how to start selling yourself as a knowledge broker. 

In this session, you'll hear from:

  • Dr. Tony Worby, Minderoo Foundation
  • Dr. Catherine Ball, Australian National University
  • Prof. Kate Fox, RMIT 
  • Dr Faye Miller, Human Constellation

Contact: emcr@science.org.au