Episode 11: A Knowledge Mobilization Paradigm - Sierra Woods
Jan 19, 2025
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Sierra Woods is a dynamic innovator and entrepreneur, originally aspiring to be a professional soccer player. In her conversation, she dives into her transformative journey with chronic pain and the need for better patient-provider communication. Sierra introduces her new Knowledge Mobilization paradigm, emphasizing the crucial roles of curiosity and reciprocity. She also shares how trust and community drive impactful knowledge sharing, contrasting traditional linear approaches with more relational methods. Plus, there's a nostalgic chat about Tim Hortons and the joys of coffee culture!
Sierra Woods emphasizes that effective knowledge mobilization hinges on building strong, reciprocal relationships that foster open dialogue and trust.
She introduces a dynamic framework for knowledge sharing, highlighting five interrelated ingredients essential for addressing complex societal challenges.
Deep dives
Sierra's Journey into Knowledge Mobilization
Sierra Woods shares her journey from Western Canada to pursuing a career in knowledge mobilization, highlighting her passion for learning and addressing gaps in public service. She illustrates her entrepreneurial spirit with initiatives like Precision Cities, which tackled food insecurity in Ottawa by emphasizing community engagement and listening to diverse perspectives. Influential mentors, particularly David Phipps, played a significant role in shaping her understanding of knowledge mobilization as it relates to impactful relationships. This exploration led her to recognize that knowledge is integral to every aspect of her academic and professional endeavors.
Overcoming Personal Challenges and Finding Relief
Sierra discusses her struggles with chronic back pain and the initial frustration she experienced while seeking effective treatment. A pivotal moment occurred when a mentor suggested she shift her focus from simply mastering exercise routines to actively advocating for her own relief. By reframing her situation as a knowledge flow issue, she engaged in open dialogues with healthcare providers to clarify her needs and preferences. This change in approach allowed her to explore various therapies, ultimately leading her to an osteopath who helped her find relief through cooperative knowledge exchange.
The Importance of Relationship Dynamics in Knowledge Sharing
Sierra emphasizes that effective knowledge mobilization is rooted in strong relationships and reciprocal engagement. She highlights how questioning and curiosity can nurture beneficial conversations, allowing for a deeper understanding of complex issues. Moreover, she underscores the role of shared experiences and trust, particularly how recommendations can bridge gaps in professional networks. By fostering genuine interactions and facilitating knowledge exchange, communities can develop solutions to problems that are too intricate for a single perspective.
Redefining Knowledge Mobilization in a Complex World
Sierra redefines knowledge mobilization, contrasting it with the traditional concept of knowledge translation, emphasizing a dynamic and relational process. She introduces five essential ingredients for successful knowledge sharing: curiosity, access, reciprocity, power, and ripple effects. By viewing these elements as interconnected 'dials,' individuals can adapt their approaches based on situational needs, facilitating more effective problem-solving. Additionally, she advocates for an agile mindset that acknowledges the complexities of knowledge flow in an ever-evolving world.
Sierra Woods is a dynamic innovator and entrepreneur passionate about impactful solutions. Initially aspiring to be a professional soccer player, her athletic background instilled
perseverance and adaptability. Sierra launched Link X to enhance experiential learning at Carleton University and created Precision Cities to address food insecurity in Ottawa. Her pioneering work in knowledge mobilization (KMb),
inspired by David Phipps and Royce Holladay, reimagines KMb as a complex form of change.
Sierra’s work is deeply personal, rooted in her experience with chronic back pain. By fostering relationships with healthcare providers, she witnessed transformative results,
inspiring her to develop a new KMb paradigm focused on relationships and impact. Sierra is currently writing a book to share this approach, blending personal insights and research to empower others tackling today’s challenges.
In the second episode of our Knowledge Fika podcast 2025, Sierra and I share a coffee and talk about her work building out a Knowledge Mobilization Paradigm, and the five ingredients, or dials, she has identified: Curiosity, Access, Reciprocity, Power, and Ripples. Through her personal story, we delve into how and why she also concluded that knowledge sharing isn’t a linear thing, but something
complex and highly dependent on context. Please find the resources on Knowledge Mobilization that Sierra mentioned, here: https://www.hsdinstitute.org/index.html
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