A framework to support the design and cultivation of embedded research initiatives

Ward, Vicky; Tooman, Tricia; Reid, Benet; Davies, H. T. O.; O'Brien, Breid; Mear, Liz; Marshall, Martin

doi:10.1332/174426421x16165177707227

Cited by 6 publications

(6 citation statements)

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“…The themes also have a range of practical implications for those involved in commissioning, designing or operationalising embedded research initiatives. We address these in a companion paper (Ward et al, 2021), where we describe how these themes have been developed into materials to aid dialogue about the design and management of embedded research initiatives.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…To cite this article: Ward, V., Tooman, T., Reid, B., Davies, H. and Marshall, M. (2021) Embedding researchers into organisations: a study of the features of embedded research initiatives, Evidence & Policy, vol xx, no xx, 1-22, DOI: 10.1332/174426421X16165177580453…”

Section: Key Messages •mentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Instead, participants emphasised the interconnections between themes. These insights were used subsequently to derive practical guidance and web-based tools for those designing and cultivating embedded initiatives (Ward et al, 2021).…”

Section: Testing the Emergent Findings With Embedded Research Actorsmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Embedding researchers into organisations: a study of the features of embedded research initiatives

Ward

Davies

Reid

et al. 2021

Evidence &Amp; Policy

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Background: ‘Embedded research’ (co-locating researchers within non-academic organisations) is advocated as a way of developing more effective services through better creation and application of knowledge.Aims and objectives: The existing literature on embedded initiatives has largely been descriptive. There has been less in the way of analysis, for example, disaggregating the components of such schemes, unpacking underpinning logics, or comparing the diverse ways in which schemes are instantiated. We aimed to explore the nature and organisation of such schemes in health settings in the UK, with the objective of providing a systematised means of understanding their makeup.Methods: This study uses a focused literature review combined with a systematic scoping exercise of extant initiatives. We assembled documentation on each scheme (n=45) and conducted in-depth interviews in twelve of them (n=17). Analytically, we focused on surfacing and articulating the key features of embedded research initiatives in relation to their intent, structure and processes. Findings were then tested and validated during a co-production workshop with embedded researchers and their managers.Findings: We identified 26 ‘clusters’ of peer-reviewed papers detailing specific embedded research initiatives, and we explored 45 extant initiatives. The initiatives were varied in intent, structure and processes, but we were able to surface ten themes representing common features: intended outcomes, power dynamics, scale, involvement, proximity, belonging, functional activities, skill and expertise, relational roles, and learning and reflection.Discussion and conclusion: The themes uncovered can be used as a framework for guiding further systematic and evaluative enquiry on embedded research initiatives. Key messages <ul><li>Embedded research initiatives come in a range of different shapes and sizes;</li> <li>Despite this variety, initiatives share a number of common features;</li> <li>An understanding of these features can promote dialogue about the design and management of embedded initiatives;</li> <li>These features can also guide systematic and evaluative enquiry of such initiatives.</li></ul>

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Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Key Messages •mentioning

confidence: 99%

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Embedding researchers into organisations: a study of the features of embedded research initiatives

Ward

Davies

Reid

et al. 2021

Evidence &Amp; Policy

Self Cite

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“…There are many ER approaches across the UK, often reporting limited utility and impact of academic research, a desire for better situated and ‘useful’ knowledge to help them address service delivery issues and a desire for closer interactions with researchers 4 15. Our NMAHP-ER model has cocreated an approach to embedded research that will meet the needs of our organisations with the learning and evaluation explicitly built in.…”

Section: Model Developmentmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Sustained knowledge translation into practice requires expertise in developing contextual readiness 3 4. The use of best evidence to support practice and the generation of new knowledge to use in practice are the hallmarks of excellence 5.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Embedding research (ER) led by nurses, midwives and allied health professionals (NMAHPs): the NMAHP-ER model

Whitehouse

Tinkler

Jackson

et al. 2022

leader

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BackgroundPrevious embedded researcher models have focused predominantly on an individual being a temporary team member and embedded for a project-limited short-term placement.AimTo develop an innovative research capacity building model to address the challenges of developing, embedding and sustaining, research led by Nurses, Midwives, and Allied Health Professionals (NMAHPs) in complex clinical environments. This healthcare and academic research partnership model offers an opportunity to support the ‘how’ of enabling NMAHP research capacity building from within the researchers’ clinical area of expertise.MethodCollaboration between three healthcare and academic organisations and the iterative process of cocreation, development and refinement took place over 6 months during 2021. The collaboration relied on virtual meetings, emails, telephone calls and document review.ResultsA codesigned NMAHP embedded research (ER) model is ready for trialling with the individual being an existing clinician working collaboratively within the healthcare setting and with academia to develop the skills to become the ER.ConclusionThis model supports NMAHP-led research activity in clinical organisations in a visible and manageable way. As a shared, long-term vision, the model will contribute to research capacity and capability of the wider healthcare workforce. It will lead, facilitate and support research in and across clinical organisations in collaboration with higher education institutions.

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Workplace-based knowledge exchange programmes between academics, policymakers and providers in the health and social care sector: a scoping review and mapping exercise

Kumpunen

Bridgwood

Irving

et al. 2023

Humanit Soc Sci Commun

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Knowledge mobilisation can be achieved through various routes. This can include immersive, in-person time spent in a different workplace with people from other disciplines or sub-sectors. By doing so participants mobilise and exchange knowledge through observing the dynamics of a different workplace; by learning directly from others with different expertise and/or through sharing their own expertise. We have called this form of knowledge exchange ‘Workplace-based Knowledge Exchange Programmes’ (WKEPs) and have focused on their role in the health and care sector because of the importance of knowledge mobilisation in this field yet their relatively low profile in the literature. This study explores the main characteristics of WKEPs among academics, providers, and policymakers in the health and care sector in the United Kingdom (UK) through a scoping review and mapping exercise. We systematically identified 147 academic articles (between 2010 and 2022) and 74 websites which offered WKEPs as part of, or all of, their knowledge mobilisation activities (between 2020 and 2022). Characteristics were grouped into structures, processes, and outcomes. WKEPs lasted between one day and five years and were mostly uni-directional. Exchange ambitions varied, aiming to benefit both the participants and their working environments. They commonly aimed to build networks or collaborations, improve understanding of another field and bring back knowledge to their employer, as well as improve leadership and management skills. Almost all programmes were for healthcare providers and academics, rather than social care providers or policymakers. In-person WKEP activities could be categorised into four domains: ‘job shadowing’, ‘work placements’, ‘project-based collaborations’, and ‘secondments’. The aims of many of the WKEPs were not clearly described and formal evaluations were rare. We used the findings of this study to develop a framework to describe WKEP activities. We suggest the use of common language for these activities to aid participation and research, as well as recommending principles for the comprehensive advertising of WKEPs and reporting of experiences after participation in WKEPs. We recommend the establishment of an online repository to improve access to WKEPs. These resources are necessary to strengthen understanding and the effectiveness of WKEPs as a mechanism for knowledge mobilisation.

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A framework to support the design and cultivation of embedded research initiatives

Cited by 6 publications

References 11 publications

Embedding researchers into organisations: a study of the features of embedded research initiatives

Embedding researchers into organisations: a study of the features of embedded research initiatives

Embedding research (ER) led by nurses, midwives and allied health professionals (NMAHPs): the NMAHP-ER model

Workplace-based knowledge exchange programmes between academics, policymakers and providers in the health and social care sector: a scoping review and mapping exercise

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