However good your research, there is little point in doing it if nobody knows about it. No matter how strong the evidence, your research will make no difference to policy or practice if it is not communicated to the right people in the right way at the right time. This is where knowledge transfer comes in.
To be most effective, knowledge transfer should not be treated as an 'add-on' at the end of a research project - knowledge transfer works best when it is considered before the start and built into the project.
Knowledge transfer is now distributed throughout society. It is likely that many people and organisations will have valuable expertise and perspectives on the topic of your research. Thinking about who your audiences are and engaging with them actively throughout the lifespan of your research will help you to:
- gain better understanding of the needs of potential users, their expertise, their perspectives on your chosen topics and their questions;
- inform and improve the quality of your research;
- gain valuable skills and experience;
- develop networks and improve your influencing skills;
- increase the prospects of your research being applied;
- enhance your reputation;
- increase your opportunities for further research funding and career opportunities;
- open up the opportunity of joint funding.
In short, knowledge transfer will help open up a range of opportunities that will revolve around the people you engage with. Prominence is given to follow-on funding to develop promising research results to a stage where they can attract external investment.
Personal and professional development
Many of the ESRC funded schemes include student placements, collaboration and partnerships with private, public and third sector organisations. These schemes are great examples of how knowledge transfer works in practice. Whether you are a post graduate or post doctoral student - or an established academic - there is a scheme that will benefit you.
See the Knowledge Transfer Funding Opportunities for a list of the funding schemes available.
Working collaboratively benefits both the researcher and the organisation(s) they work with. They are able to gain understanding of each other's goals and professional culture and influence each other's work. Most researchers find that their knowledge increases through working in this way - as does the range of opportunities that open up.
Here are just some of the benefits of working collaboratively. You can:
- increase the scope of your research and attract extra funding for the project;
- apply evidence-based knowledge and expertise to important business/organisational problems or research agendas;
- gain experience of current business or policy development and assist strategic change and learn complementary project management skills;
- generate research ideas and teaching material relevant to policy and practice;
- enhance your reputation as well as your research and teaching skills;
- develop and strengthen your networks;
- increase your chances for future funding;
- improve your career opportunities.
People transfer opportunities, including placements, exchanges and secondments, also help develop the skills and experience of researchers. If you would like to discuss these specific opportunities, contact the Knowledge Transfer Team. Also see How to get help and How it works in practice.