KnowMapp is the brand identity of the NIHR-supported Knowledge Mobilisation for Research Inclusion Incubator, providing a clear and memorable name for the community, activities and resources that make up the programme. To read more about the meaning behind the brand, click here.
Join the KnowMapp community to explore resources, connect with collaborators, share your experiences and help shape a more inclusive future for health and care research. Whether you are a researcher, practitioner, public contributor, policymaker or community partner, we invite you to get involved and be part of the journey.
Dr Gail Marzetti is Director of Science, Research and Evidence at the Department of Health and Social Care and Deputy Chief Executive of the NIHR.
In this video, she introduces knowledge mobilisation and reflects on why inclusive approaches are so important to ensuring research can make a meaningful difference in practice, policy and people’s lives.
KnowMapp helps researchers, practitioners, public contributors and communities work together to ensure research reaches the people, services and systems where it can make the greatest difference.
Created through national collaboration and informed by NIHR principles, KnowMapp provides practical guidance, tools and resources to help you mobilise knowledge with confidence, inclusivity and impact.
Wherever you are in your journey, KnowMapp can help you take the next step.
Knowledge mobilisation is the process of sharing, connecting and using knowledge to improve practice, policy, services and people’s lives.
It brings together researchers, practitioners, patients, public contributors, communities and decision-makers throughout the research process, helping to ensure research is relevant, accessible and used where it can make a difference.
Where appropriate, involving specialist communication, design and facilitation expertise is recommended. Bringing these skills into the process early can help teams understand their knowledge users, enable meaningful two-way exchange and develop inclusive, accessible and effective ways for knowledge to be shared and used.
Research inclusion means creating opportunities for people and communities to contribute to, participate in and benefit from research.
It recognises that diverse perspectives strengthen research and help produce knowledge that is relevant, equitable and useful for everyone.
Inclusive approaches help ensure that research reaches and benefits those who need it most.
Healthcare research creates opportunities to improve lives, influence practice and shape policy.
Many researchers are keen to maximise the impact of their work but can find it challenging to navigate the wide range of approaches, frameworks and expectations surrounding knowledge mobilisation.
KnowMapp was created to make that journey clearer, more accessible and more achievable.
Whether you’re designing a new project, planning engagement activities, developing impact pathways or embedding knowledge mobilisation across a programme of research, KnowMapp offers:
KnowMapp was developed through a national partnership bringing together the leadership of the NIHR-supported Incubator in Knowledge Mobilisation for Research Inclusion, More Than Just Design, and Knowledge Mobilisation specialists from across the UK.
The platform has been shaped by the experiences of researchers, practitioners and knowledge mobilisation professionals working across a wide range of settings.
By bringing together diverse perspectives and expertise, KnowMapp offers practical support that reflects the realities of modern health and care research.
Effective knowledge mobilisation considers not only what is shared, but who can access, understand and use it.
KnowMapp encourages users to take an equity-informed approach by considering:
Small changes in how knowledge is shared can help create more equitable opportunities for people and communities to benefit from research.
For additional resources, explore FOR Equity, which supports researchers in making evidence more relevant to reducing social and health inequalities.
Because impact is strongest when everyone has the opportunity to benefit.
Knowledge mobilisation is strengthened through shared learning and collaboration.
The KnowMapp Community brings together researchers, practitioners, public contributors and knowledge mobilisation professionals who are passionate about creating impact through research.
By joining the community, you can: