It is good to see evidence of convergent evolution! When Peter and I we met several months ago we discussed my ideal end goal of a professionalized k* field with an overarching global association etc. Perhaps even the formation of a K* Institute! The focus on an Institute is perhaps misleading, however, though it could be an ultimate outcome. (I need to credit the kernel of that “think big” idea of an Institute to Mark Chamberlain, a prominent Hamilton businessman, who expressed an interest in what we were doing with the K* Initiative.)

One of a number of outcomes for the K* initiative – which had its formal genesis at the CSPC in 2010 – is to develop an international learning network (aka Community of Practice) devoted to this emerging field. It is good to see that others see a value in this and have been thinking on the same lines. Given the momentum and buy-in for the K* initiative with a variety of international players (with great support by Canadian leaders like David Phipps and others), including donor agencies interested in the future, one of the key things we want to do is help in aggregating K* resources by linking existing initiatives, sectoral websites and archives. I think there is a great deal of sense in trying to converge where we can. It all goes to show that there is a clear need for professionalization in the K* field.

With the generous support of OMAFRA the K* conference will be webcast so as to extend the reach of what is essentially a small working conference. Watch the conference website for details

http://www.inweh.unu.edu/River/KnowledgeManagement/Kstar2012.htm

Finally I was delighted to be invited by Peter to come and speak about the K* initiative at the Canadian KMb Forum in June and look forward to meeting folk there.

Alex Bielak

Ps; Allow me also to expand on K* and the Summit:

What is K* (KStar)?
Within the worlds of research and policy there is growing awareness of, and commitment to, the role of intermediaries and intermediary organizations. They are increasingly seen – by various parties including research providers, users and funders – as important in ensuring that:

• Research directions are informed by the potential users;
• Users are strategically involved in the research; and
• Research findings are accessible and actually used in decision making.

Knowledge Intermediaries are playing key roles in considering how relationships between policy and practice, research and other types of knowledge can be made to function better. They are practicing Knowledge Management (KM), Knowledge Mobilization (KMb), Knowledge Translation and Transfer (KTT), Knowledge Brokering (KB), Knowledge Adoption (KA) and a number of other activities which collectively we term K* (KStar).

The K* Summit

The first-ever K* Summit takes place over the course of four days in Hamilton at the end of April. It will establish a baseline understanding of the global K* community and the beginnings of a global learning network, along with the mechanisms to sustain it. We’ll also continue and broaden the conversation through the development of “state of the art” wiki‐based green (and ultimately) white papers.

We are keenly aware that what is being learned in some countries and sectors is not known about in others. The summit will begin to identify some of the many ‘low hanging fruit’ with the ultimate outcome of achieving improved efficiency and accelerating the impact of initiatives as a result of these improved linkages.

One of the key things we want to do is help in aggregating K* resources by linking existing initiatives, sectoral websites and archives.

Who is organizing it?

The event is being convened by the United Nations University (Hosted in Canada by the Canadian Govt. and McMaster University), in concert with a variety of Canadian and International partners. Key partners from Canada are IDRC, NRCan and the Canadian Water Network, with significant additional support from PHAC, OMAFRA, Neurodevnet, York University and the City of Hamilton.

Who will be represented at the K*2012 Summit?

The meeting has deliberately been kept as a small working and networking event. We have confirmed ~60 delegates include many of the world’s key K* actors playing key/senior roles in a variety of organizations and government departments, as well as academics working in the field.

Their collective expertise covers a broad range of sectors (e.g. social innovation, education, agriculture, health, sustainability) and roles (e.g. government, intermediary, end user, academia) across most of the globe. They are working about evenly, but not exclusively, on K* matters related to: civil society, industry, practitioners and government.

Best regards,
Steve Waite, you know, Steve from Seattle!

My thoughts based on reaction from the UK, Germany, and Singapore is a membership structure that will include: Networks, Government Departments/Agencies, Large Education/Civil Institutions (+500), Business/Industry, Small NGO/Civil Organizations (499-), Small/Medium Enterprise, Individual Agents/Consultants/Researchers, and Student categories.

The goal is not to replace existing structures – which are important for contextual action but to link them together and enhance their K* work.