Greetings to all.
I'd like to share some thoughts in response to Q5. What can be done to better support researchers in the communication of health research?
As a knowledge management mentor on the TDR SORT IT course, I know that hands-on capacity-building initiatives such as this one are very effective in supporting researchers in communicating their research findings to relevant stakeholders. The researchers who have participated in the knowledge management module have reported that their findings have gained traction within places of work because of the skills in packaging their evidence to be relevant to the target audiences/ decision-makers within their contexts.
Another way through which researchers may be supported to communicate their research findings is through awareness creation within the broader research community of the importance of disseminating their findings beyond publication for career progression, and the potential that their research evidence has to inform better decision-making at a higher level. Creating this awareness may serve as motivation for them to seek out formal/ informal opportunities to gain the relevant skills for communicating the research findings.
The sensitization on the importance of dissemination of research findings to foster cross-learning should also encompass the sponsors/ funders of the research. Often times the findings of evaluations research are termed as being for 'internal consumption' despite the inherent rich lessons that may enrich the implementation of future public health projects/ programs. Additionally, the research budget does not factor in the dissemination of the evidence that emerges from the research right at the start so it may not be perceived as a priority by these members of the research community. However, perhaps if the funders are sensitized they may prioritize the dissemination of research findings, and even set it as an expectation coupled with the financial support for it.
Kind regards,
Jacklyne Ashubwe-Jalemba
HIFA profile: Jacklyne Ashubwe-Jalemba is a medical doctor and health systems researcher based in Nairobi, Kenya. She is a member of the HIFA project on Communicating health research, supported by TDR
https://www.hifa.org/projects/new-communicating-health-research-support-...
https://www.hifa.org/support/members/jacklyne
Email: jashubwe AT live.com
