York University and Wilfrid Laurier University have entered into an agreement that will help maximize the impact of faculty research using clear language research summaries or ResearchSnapshots.
The agreement between the respective knowledge mobilization offices in each institution will provide a procedure for creating summaries of peer-reviewed research written in clear language, accessible to non-specialists.
ResearchSnapshots are summaries of research studies, providing the wider community with easily understandable information about relevant research and researchers. The ResearchSnapshot format was developed by York University as part of its Research Impact 
program. The effectiveness of the summary format has been validated by focus groups, including policymakers, community practitioners and university faculty.
Robert Haché
“York is proud of our leadership role in knowledge mobilization in Canada and acknowledges the responsibility that comes with it to collaborate with other universities and use knowledge mobilization to enable social innovation opportunities that can benefit all Canadians,” said Robert Haché, York’s vice-president research & innovation.
The agreement extends York’s knowledge mobilization work in research summaries, building on more than four years of experience with the clear language snapshots.
“Linking our knowledge mobilization staff at Laurier with the established knowledge mobilization unit at York allows us both to mobilize knowledge to a greater number of Canadians,” said Abby Goodrum, vice-president research at Laurier.
For Laurier, the partnership recognizes the need for strategic activities to engage the wider community in the research.
“This partnership builds on Laurier’s 100-year history of engaging with community,” said Goodrum. “Translating peer-reviewed research from our faculty is an important way for our researchers to reach out beyond their academic communities and engage with citizens.”
Activity is scheduled to commence in February 2013, with training provided by Laurier knowledge mobilization officer Shawna Reibling, followed by summary development.
Visit the York Research website and Laurier’s Office of Research Services website for information about how knowledge mobilization works with researchers, community agencies, government and the private sector.