Special topics in critical knowledge translation (KT) and ethics: Discussion Series

A series to facilitate discussion and the development of a community practice around critical knowledge translation.

This training is intended for MAP staff and scientists.

Hosted by: Dr. Patricia O’Campo, MAP Scientist, Tier 1 Canada Research Chair in Population Health Intervention Research

Presented by: Amy Katz, Senior Knowledge Translation Specialist, MAP

Goal: To build capacity in Critical KT by exploring ethical issues together.

To register: email amy.katz@unityhealth.to, and please let us know:

  • The session(s) you are registering for.
  • Your name and job title at MAP.
  • Anything we should do to make these virtual Zoom sessions accessible or more accessible to you.
  • Anything you want us to consider while designing these virtual Zoom sessions.

To facilitate discussion and the development of a community practice around Critical KT, each session will be capped at 20 people. Registration will be first-come, first-served.

These sessions will each involve a presentation and time for discussion. Once you have signed up for a particular session, you will be provided with a Zoom link and the readings/viewings we hope you will do in advance.

These sessions are designed to build on each other. We hope that you can come to all of them in order, but we understand that may not always be the case.

This series is not meant to be comprehensive or cover all (or even most) topics in KT and ethics. It is limited by the experiences and approach of the presenter. We hope it adds to the rich and varied conversations about research and ethics that are already taking place.

2024 sessions – registration opens August 20, 2024

(1) The world around the research question 1: narrative harms and ethics

In this session, we’ll explore harmful myths that are often embedded in health-related research questions, methods and communications. We will touch on a range of falsehoods, but we will focus on myths that perpetuate racism.

Date: Wednesday October 9, 2024
Time 2:00 – 3:30 pm
Location: Virtual. Register for Zoom link and related readings/viewings.

NEW ADDITIONAL TIME ADDED: Oct. 30 from 2-4pm

(2) The world around the research question 2: context and ethics

In this session, we’ll explore case studies that illustrate the importance of addressing: a) the context around a particular research question; b) the consequences of KT processes. This session focuses on knowledge synthesis processes such as systematic reviews, but also has application to other types of research.

Date: Wednesday November 27, 2024
Time: 2:00 – 3:30 pm
Location: Virtual. Register for Zoom link and related readings/viewings.

2025 sessions – registration opens in January, 2025

Please note: topics for some 2025 sessions may shift in response to discussion and input.

(3) Transparency and ethics: accountability, accuracy and plain language writing

In this session, we’ll cover some principles of plain language writing and explore their relationship to research methods, ethics and communication. Session 1, “narrative harms and ethics” is a pre-requisite to this session.

Date: February, 2025
Time: 2:00 – 3:30 pm
Location: Virtual. Register for Zoom link and related readings/viewings.

(4) Involving decision-makers in research and KT: ethical questions

Mainstream KT texts often encourage researchers to work directly with decision-makers. In this session we’ll explore some of the ethical questions that may come up in this situation.

Date: April, 2025
Time: 2:00 – 3:30 pm
Location: Virtual. Register for Zoom link and related readings/viewings

(5) The world around the research question 3: the role of gaps, silences and omissions

Many of the ethical issues that come up in research and KT aren’t immediately apparent. That’s because many research assumptions, processes and decisions aren’t directly articulated. In addition, research ethics frameworks don’t always take into account the cumulative effects of mainstream practices. In this session, we’ll explore the impact of things unsaid.

Date: June, 2025
Time: 2:00 – 3:30 pm
Location: Virtual. Register for Zoom link and related readings/viewings.

Add to Calendar

October 9, 2024  - June 30, 2025

Virtual