Solutions to complex societal issues can be found—among other sources—in science. However, these solutions often do not find their way beyond academia. Valorisation—the application of knowledge for societal benefit—is not being fully utilized.
In a world that urgently needs solutions to complex challenges, knowledge brokers play a crucial role. They are experts who translate scientific insights into practical applications, bridging academia and practice.
Consider, for example, a collaboration between a comedian and a climate scientist who join forces to convey the facts and urgency of the climate crisis to the general public. Or a group of PhD candidates developing an evidence-based roadmap for the Ministry of Foreign Affairs to guide policy measures on decolonization. Or a PhD researcher who uses her academic expertise in freelance career development to start a consultancy focused on sustainable employability for self-employed professionals. These valorisation experts build bridges between practice and academia, enabling impactful collaborations, products, and service development that serve society.
Knowledge brokers, valorisation experts, who are they?
Knowledge brokers anticipate the complexity of societal challenges by integrating diverse perspectives and needs. A knowledge broker is therefore concerned with translating knowledge into practical insights that can be applied across different fields. They anticipate the complex nature of contemporary challenges by taking into account the knowledge and societal needs of multiple stakeholders simultaneously. They understand that a linear approach is not effective for today’s complex societal issues. Societal problems are inherently multidimensional and require a transdisciplinary approach that also involves actors outside academia. Their ability to navigate complexity enables knowledge brokers to manage the differing interests, dynamics, and priorities of diverse stakeholders at the same time. They are not just researchers, but also impact makers, entrepreneurs, translators, and bridge builders. Their fluid role enables them to connect stakeholders and maximize the societal value of knowledge.
Routes to Impact
Knowledge brokers operate through multiple pathways to create societal impact. They contribute to the development of evidence-based policy by translating scientific research into actionable insights for decision-makers. In addition, they support regional development by connecting local stakeholders, institutions, and knowledge infrastructures. Knowledge brokers also play a key role in building impact-oriented organizations that turn research outcomes into sustainable initiatives, services, or enterprises. Finally, they make science accessible to the public by communicating complex knowledge in clear, engaging, and relevant ways.
Our Ambition
In the THRIVE PhD Academy, we train academics to become valorisation experts capable of translating scientific findings into policy-relevant evidence. They are equipped to bridge the gap between academic language and public debate, ensuring that research insights resonate beyond scholarly circles. Furthermore, these academics learn how to build meaningful organizations around their interventions, enabling lasting societal impact through the practical application of knowledge.
The aim of the PhD Academy is therefore to stimulate collaborations between knowledge brokers and both public and private organizations in order to maximize societal impact.
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