Presentation given at a joint LWEC/NERC/RELU workshop at the Royal Institution, London, 14th December 2011, by Mark Reed from the Sustainable Learning project (sustainable-learning.org) to facilitate discussion/feedback on draft KE guidelines being developed for the LWEC Partnership

1. KE for Sustainability:
Introducing the 7 principles

2. LWEC KE guidelines
 LWEC/NERC process
 Best practice workshop in July
 Draft guidelines
 Sustainable Learning RELU/LWEC project
 Research agenda
 Understanding KE mechanisms
 Build capacity for future KE in peatlands

3.  UK scope, upland/catchment
management cases
 Interviews: 32
PI/PM/stakeholders (1-2 hrs)
 Project: 6 RELU, 4 RCUK, 5
NGO/business
 Key collaborators:
 Expert group (many here)
 LWEC & RELU directorates

4. 7 Principles
of knowledge exchange
Draft prepared by:
 John Holmes, Sustainable Learning project with initial
feedback from various people

5. 7 Principles
of knowledge exchange
Structure:
 Broad principles
 Guidelines under each principle
 Methods & tips to implement each principle (hotlinks)
 Case studies of principles/methods with interview quotes

7. Principle 1: DESIGN FOR
KNOWLEDGE EXCHANGE
Knowledge exchange needs to be designed and
effectively integrated into research programmes
from the outset to ensure the approach is
adequately tailored to programme goals, context
and the needs of research participants and users.
Design flexibility into programmes to ensure that
they can be responsive to the changing needs
and priorities of research users.

8. Principle 2: ENSURE SYSTEMATIC
REPRESENTATION OF RESEARCH
USER NEEDS/PRIORITIES
It is important to ensure the needs and priorities of
likely research users are represented systematically
in programme design and implementation, to
enhance the legitimacy and impact of research.

9. Principle 3: MAKE SURE
KNOWLEDGE EXCHANGE IS A
TWO-WAY PROCESS
A two-way process of collaboration between
all those involved can establish a shared
purpose, engender trust, facilitate learning
and ensure continued involvement in the
research process.

10. Principle 4: CREATE A SAFE SPACE IN WHICH
PROGRAMME PARTICIPANTS CAN SHARE
OPINIONS AND EXISTING KNOWLEDGE, AND
GENERATE NEW KNOWLEDGE TOGETHER
The knowledge exchange process needs to
enable those involved to effectively listen to
each other, share knowledge and skills,
explore new ideas and to learn, adapt and
apply the knowledge they gain.

11. Principle 5: DELIVER IMPACT
For a knowledge exchange process to be perceived
as effective, it needs to deliver tangible and desirable
outcomes for as many of those involved as possible.
Design the process to achieve something tangible,
include stakeholders in deciding what should be
achieved and make sure the process delivers. Quick
wins early on that do not compromise research rigour
will gain respect from participants, and help achieve
more in the long term.

12. Principle 6: SUSTAIN ENGAGEMENT BY
DEVELOPING A KNOWLEDGE
EXCHANGE CULTURE
Ensure that a culture is promoted, where
stakeholders are valued, two-way knowledge
exchange is promoted, and participants work to a
shared purpose, to promote sustained engagement
and impact.

13. Principle 7: REFLECT AND
EVALUATE
Ensure knowledge exchange is monitored &
evaluated, so individuals & programmes can
reflect on & learn from their own and each other’s
experience, to improve their practice.

14. the journey continues…
 Today...
 Further feedback from LWEC partners, you &
wider group
 Trial from January:
 DEFRA Ecosystems Network
 NERC’s BESS & VNN programmes
 Scottish Government Centre of Expertise