Knowledge Brokerage

Are you involved in bridging the gap between research and policy? Are you interested in training for researchers or policyworkers to upskill in this area?

Our SSH Knowledge Brokerage Programme was designed to provide researchers from the Social Sciences and Humanities (SSH) with the skills and tools to translate their research findings into formats that are easily digestible by policymakers. 

This page presents the different stages of preparation, implementation and development of our flagship Knowledge Brokerage Programme which ran over 2023-2024, as well as linking to an online short version of the training course which anyone can undertake for free.

We share detailed materials from the programme to support others who may wish to run similar programmes. You are permitted and even encouraged to use, copy and distribute the materials provided on this website. The only thing we ask is that you acknowledge the source as “EC- and UKRI-funded SSH CENTRE Project”.

The resources are aimed at increasing the links between Social Science and Humanities (SSH) research and policy.

Our Knowledge Brokerage Programme in a nutshell

What is knowledge brokerage?

Why is the involvement of SSH disciplines so important?

What was the original SSH CENTRE Knowledge Brokerage Programme?

Knowledge brokerage means acting as a bridge between the research and policy worlds to facilitate knowledge transfer and exchange and favours mutual engagement, mutual learning and coordination. It’s about connecting different communities, different people and different perspectives.

Social Sciences & Humanities (SSH) knowledge is essential for understanding and anticipating social changes. It also provides tools for driving change and supporting inclusive innovation. Many knowledge brokerage skills and capacities, like understanding collaboration, are linked to SSH knowledge.

Our flagship programme involved 30 early and mid-career researchers from SSH disciplines who received a one-week live training course on knowledge brokerage. They then worked in teams to support six European cities in their decarbonisation policies over nine months.

Delve into our programme resources

Here we share the original resources used to run our programme over 2023/2024, together with brief ideas for running your own programme.

Before launch: finding policy partners

Different strategies can be used to identify policy partners (e.g. local authorities, NGOs, national agencies, etc.) interested in participating in a knowledge brokerage programme, including a call for participation, direct contacts or the involvement of existing policy networks. It is essential that policy partners are genuinely motivated to be involved in the development of a knowledge brokerage initiative and that there is a real need for external support. This is important to make the initiative not just a simulation but a real-life experience.

Note on Knowledge Brokerage Programme (specific to SSH CENTRE programme)

A short note was prepared to present the Knowledge Brokerage Programme to the partner cities, and also to explain to them the potential benefits of participating in it.

KB Programme presentation note

One-pager explaining Knowledge Brokerage

A one-pager was prepared to help partners understand what knowledge brokerage is, its functions and tools

Note on Knowledge Brokerage

Recruitment of participants and matching

Recruitment of participants and matching

How to prepare a Knowledge Brokerage Programme: Call for applications, Expression of interest, timelines….

More about this

Running the training

Running the training

How to run a Knowledge Brokerage Programme

More about this

Implementing the knowledge brokerage initiatives

Implementing the knowledge brokerage initiatives

How participants practised knowledge brokerage in real-world initiatives and contexts.

More about this

SSH Knowledge Brokerage: bridging between Social Sciences & Humanities research and Sustainability Policy

These nine videos are part of our short online course ‘SSH Knowledge Brokerage: bridging between Social Sciences & Humanities research and Sustainability Policy’

Do you have what it takes to be a Knowledge Broker? Yes!

Ami Crowther, ARU

Welcome to the SSH Centre’s online knowledge brokerage course! 🌟

By the end of this video, you will understand how to maximise the benefits of our course, which aims to connect social sciences and humanities (SSH) research with sustainability policy.

This course is based on the SSH Centre’s knowledge brokerage initiative, which included significant collaboration and training for early and mid-career researchers.

  • Take a look around sshcentre.eu
  • Become an SSH CENTRE member by signing up to our newsletter

What are the benefits of SSH for sustainability policy? (And why are they sometimes overlooked?)

Rosie Robison, ARU

Your Content Goes Here

  • Are you aware of any organisations who try to bridge between research and policy, in your area of work or country?
  • Take a few minutes to identify relevant organisations, and what resources they offer

How does policy work really work?

Marta Arosio, ECIT

Join this video to understand how Social Sciences and Humanities (SSH) research can address different challenges and enhance the effectiveness of sustainability policies.

This video delves into the everyday realities of policy work to better understand how and when research insights can be useful. We’ll cover four main aspects of policy work:

1. Policy Stakeholders and their role in the policy-making process.

2. Policy process stages

3. Public administration framework and its complex access

4. Timing in policy-making vs. academic timing

  • Take a look at one of the Six briefs developed under SSH CENTRE on Policy work  realities and research responses (which will be available in the forthcoming months). These can help you better understand the realities of policy work.

  • Extension video C: Chris Foulds and Claire Roumet on sustainability transitions and the organisation of cities (4 mins)
  • Extension video D: Chris Foulds and Claire Roumet on municipalities’ expectations regarding transitions to sustainability (6 mins)
  • SSH Centre Literature Briefs: These reports provide an overview of current research and debates related to EU policy priorities, in particular the climate, energy, and mobility aspects of the EU Green Deal.

Five myths about the research-policy interface

Melanie Rohse, ARU

Your Content Goes Here

Think about to what extent you agree that the five areas we have presented in this video are myths Did any of them surprise you?

  • Extension video E: listen to Esther Turnhout on the separation between science and policy (3 mins)

Learn what Knowledge Brokerage is not (and how to spot real KB)

Julius Wesche, NTNU

Ever wondered how research bridges the gap to real-world impact?

This video dives into the concept of knowledge brokerage, unpacking its key characteristics.

What You’ll Learn:

  • The core principles of knowledge brokerage in the SSH (Social Sciences & Humanities) context.
  • Five key aspects that define knowledge brokerage:
    • Connecting previously unconnected groups or strengthening existing connections.
    • Introducing new perspectives and potential solutions.
    • Facilitating a two-way, participatory process.
    • Acknowledging the “baggage” of knowledge (values & interpretations).
    • Recognizing that knowledge brokerage often happens organically, even by non-professionals.

Which of these characteristics of knowledge brokerage we covered do you think are the most important? Rank them in order of importance to you: Connecting different groups, Bringing new perspectives, Being participatory, Awareness of the framing of knowledge

What type of Knowledge Broker do you want to be?

Alevgul Sorman, BC3

Deciding Your Role as a Knowledge Broker

By the end of this video, you’ll be able to decide what type of knowledge broker you want to be in different situations by exploring different roles and scenarios you might encounter as a knowledge broker by asking three key questions:

1. Levels of Interaction with Policy and Practice

2. Prioritizing Aims in Knowledge Brokerage

3. Ethical Considerations

Which type of broker role do you think you would find easier to play? And which would you find harder?

Four types of Knowledge Brokerage: with examples

Samyajit Basu, VUB

Choosing the Right Knowledge Brokerage Activities: Skills and Resources

Being a knowledge broker requires transversal skills beyond subject-specific knowledge. Managing relationships is crucial, and being able to put yourself in others’ shoes and listen carefully is key. By the end of this video, you’ll be able to choose appropriate knowledge brokerage activities based on the skills and resources available.

SPOILER: At the SSH Center, we use a categorization based on the work of political scientist Sarah Michaels.

Make an inventory of the skills you already have, or would like to develop, for knowledge brokerage, using the template in the description

Messy reality – bringing it all to life: Knowledge Brokerage Programme case studies

Giovanni Caiutani , K&I – Rikeja City Hub mentor
Ami Crowther, ARU – Arnhem City Hub mentor
Julius Wesche – NTNU – Porto City Hub Mentor
Alevgul Sorman, BC3 – Valencia City Hub Mentor
Samyajit Basu, VUB, Caçak City Hub Mentor
Daniele Mezzana, K&I, Grenoble City Hub Mentor

By the end of this video, you will be familiar with practical examples of knowledge brokerage initiatives led by the SSH Centre Knowledge Brokerage programme. Each case is presented by the SSH Centre research mentor, who worked alongside Social Science and Humanities (SSH) researchers to assist municipalities in addressing sustainability policy challenges. The mentor emphasizes these key points for successful Knowledge Brokerage Programme development:

  • Be adaptable: Remain open to adjusting your initial plans as you and your partners learn more about each other.
  • Facilitate connections: Bringing the right people together, even for the first time, can make a significant impact.
  • Communicate clearly: Use straightforward, engaging language and real-life examples to ensure everyone understands.
  • Understand the policy framework: Recognize the challenges in policymaking, including the demands of stakeholders.
  • Build on existing knowledge: Leverage any background in knowledge brokerage to foster a shared understanding.
  • Invest time in new contexts: Allocate additional time to understand the local situation when entering a new environment.

List the factors that you think can make the research-policy interface messy and challenging. Do you have one or more top tips for bridging the research-policy divide?

Five tips for planning your own knowledge brokerage initative

Luciano d’Andrea, K&I

Planning and Implementing Effective Knowledge Brokerage Initiatives: 5 Tips

Effective knowledge brokerage requires deep contextual understanding, attention to framing processes, integration of SSH disciplines, realistic time planning, and proactive barrier management. By the end of this video, you will be able to plan and implement knowledge brokerage initiatives better, making knowledge more accessible and useful for policy decision-making.

  • Put these tips into practice.
  • Identify one action you can take in the next 2 weeks to start connecting between research and policy worlds.
  • Don’t wait for an opportunity, create one :)
*These videos are part of the online course ‘SSH Knowledge Brokerage: bridging between Social Sciences & Humanities research and Sustainability Policy’