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Minimum Viable Skills for Knowledge Broker

Introduction: Open Science mission for this role

Knowledge brokers serve as vital intermediaries in the transfer of knowledge between experts and stakeholders. They are responsible for facilitating the dissemination of scientific information, ensuring that research findings are accessible and actionable for various audiences. Knowledge brokers promote transparency and collaboration, particularly in the context of Open Science, by bridging the gap between research and practice, enabling informed decision-making. They strive to provide unbiased and reliable information, fostering trust among stakeholders while adhering to ethical standards in knowledge sharing.

Associated function titles: Knowledge Broker, Honest Broker, Research Liaison, Information Specialist, Policy Advisor, Evidence Synthesis Expert, Science Communicator, Stakeholder Engagement Coordinator.

The Minimum Viable Skillset (MVS) recognises the competencies essential for individuals or teams acting as intermediaries in the knowledge transfer process. The term "knowledge broker" refers to individuals or teams who, in a variety of contexts, facilitate the transfer of knowledge from experts to a wider audience. This practice encompasses diverse use cases with the common objective of disseminating scientific information and facilitating its use in society. Typical scenarios include appointed individual experts or expert groups informing public authorities or agencies about scientific findings, as well as aggregating research data to provide an overview of specific phenomena or fields. Such efforts support evidence-based decision-making and provide trustworthy and understandable information to laypeople.

Knowledge brokers typically use their expertise to connect stakeholders with the information and resources they need to make informed decisions. They fill the gaps between science and various stakeholders, including policymakers, practitioners, and the public. Sometimes, groups, such as committees or learned societies, undertake this role.

A notable subtype within this field is the "honest broker." An honest broker serves as an impartial mediator, facilitating communication and decision-making among individuals or groups with differing interests or values. They maintain neutrality and bias-free positions, providing all parties with accurate information to help negotiate and find common ground. This role is especially critical in situations requiring fair and transparent processes, such as conflict resolution or public policy development.

Knowledge brokers operate within various organizational contexts, including ministries, governmental organizations, research-performing organizations, national agencies, national funding organizations, communication/media agencies, and committees or learned societies.

In relation to Open Science, the knowledge broker plays a crucial role in bridging the gap between research and practice by connecting researchers with stakeholders who can benefit from their work. They help create a more open, transparent, and collaborative research environment, leading to more effective and impactful research outcomes. This may involve collaborating closely with researchers to translate findings into actionable recommendations or providing policymakers with access to the latest accessible scientific evidence to inform decision-making. Additionally, knowledge brokers may promote Open Science practices within their organizations or communities, advocating for open access publishing, developing data-sharing policies, and supporting dissemination of research findings to a wider audience.## Related MVS Link to any other MVS that this MVS is based on (from those in Skills4EOSC D2.1)

Knowledge broker

Essential skills and competences

  • Being familiar with policy making practices and procedures

  • Understanding of open, ethical and responsible research principles

  • Managing considerable amount of information related to OS practices

  • Searching, retrieving, appraising and synthesizing evidence

  • Developing and maintaining network of researchers, policymakers, and other stakeholders to help promoting and implementation of OS practices and to support co-creation activities

  • Providing training and education to researchers, policymakers, and public citizens about OS practices

  • Evaluating research findings and identify potential conflicts of interest

  • Tailoring resources to local needs and assessing the context of implementation

Soft/ transversal skills

  • Communication

  • Collaboration

  • Leadership

  • Self-confidence

  • Citizens and stakeholders engagement skills

  • Influencing skills

  • Mediation skills

  • Negotiation and diplomacy

  • Team building and teamwork

  • Problem-solving skills

  • Innovative thinking

  • Analytical and research skills

  • Adaptability to changes

  • Networking skills

  • Interpersonal skills

  • Stakeholder management and influencing skills

  • Mentoring skills

  • Facilitation skills

  • Change management skills

  • Improvement skills

  • IT skills

Background assumptions

Main activities

  • Bridge the interface between science and policy

  • Ensure mutual understanding among these parties

  • Ensure alignment between the needs of the policy community and the evidence synthesis provided

  • Ensures that the policy community have a good understanding of the implications of the evidence proffered

  • Ensure the quality and transparency of evidence synthesis

  • Ensure the evidence synthesis had appropriate expert inputs

  • Identify options and and providing advice from a scientific viewpoint

  • Identify constraints, uncertainties and caveats

  • Contextualise the FAIR and OS principles of specific domains

  • Identify strengths and weaknesses in how OS is applied

  • Identify needs of change in OS policy or practice in relevant research domains

  • Ensure all actors are engaged in co-creation actions

Contributes to which Open Science outcomes?

  • Identifying the information needs of reference stakeholders/interlocutors and addressing them by bridging specialised scientific data and information and facilitate the stakeholers' understanding and correct interpretation of this information

  • Analyzing, evaluating, and drafting concrete policy options, but also building capacity and create links for continuous knowledge exchange, adopting as much as possible co-creation and accessible approaches

  • Linking knowledge producers and users and objectively facililtating or directly translating science into policy-usable knowledge in a transparent and accessible way

  • Enhancing the uptake of scientifically developed knowledge into public policy by supporting the application of Open Science and FAIR principles in the knowledge production chain 

  • Identifying options, helping policymakers understand the likely impact of choices, and providing advice from a scientific viewpoint           

  • Helping researchers understand the potential impact of their outcomes to policy makers

  • Advocating on the application of FAIR principles and Open Science, identifying how these principles relate to research goals and practices, and to the organisation's local policies and processes

Further information - Open Science skills terms

OS skills terms match the essential skills in this MVS to competence definitions from relevant taxonomies. The selected terms offer further information to help identify the learning objectives for skills development. Sources: European Skills, Competences and Occupations ontology (ESCO), ResearchComp, terms4FAIRskills, Center Scientific Collaboration and Community Engagement.

ESCO Research Skills: Increase the impact of science on policy and society; Apply research ethics and scientific integrity principles in research activities; Demonstrate disciplinary expertise; Manage research data; Synthetise information; Develop professional network with researchers and scientists; Promote the transfer of knowledge; Promote the participation of citizens in scientific and research activities; Mentor individuals; Teach in academic or vocational contexts; Evaluate research activities; Manage intellectual property rights; Interact professionally in research and professional environments.

ESCO Transversal Skills: Organise information, objects and resources; Demonstrate curiosity; Conduct web searches; Report facts; Build networks; Instruct others; Address an audience; Exercise self-reflection; Critically evaluate information and its sources; Think critically; Moderate a discussion; Teaching and training; Communicate with a non-scientific audience; Use communication and collaboration software; Demonstrate intercultural competence; Demonstrate trustworthiness; Show initiative; Advise others; Lead others; Delegate responsibilities; Make decisions; Motivate others; Assume responsibility; Show determination; Show confidence; Plan; Time management; Show commitment; Resolve conflicts; Show empathy; Negotiate compromises; Approach challenges positively; Improvise; Participate actively in civic life; Think creatively; Promote ideas, products, services; Respect the diversity of cultural values and norms; Manage frustration; Keep an open mind; Work in teams; Build team spirit; Solve problems; Identify problems; Express yourself creatively; Think innovatively; Think quickly; Think analytically; Demonstrate willingness to learn; Attend to detail; Cope with stress; Adapt to change; Advice others; Build mentor-mentee relationships; Manage time; Accept criticism and guidance; Meet commitments; Operate digital hardware; Apply knowledge of science, technology and engineering.

ResearchComp: Promote citizen science; Develop networks; Promote the transfer of knowledge; Teach in academic or vocational contexts; Manage intellectual property rights; Mobilise resources; Communicate with a broad public; Negotiate; Problem solving; Creativity; Analytical thinking; Strategic thinking; Cope with pressure; Develop networks;

Terms4FAIRskills: Data policy; Ethical application of patents, licenses; Information security; Open access publishing; Open peer review; Open innovation; Research integrity, attribution, impact awareness; Research governance; Assessment on FAIR data criteria; Training in open and fair methods; Mentoring on open and fair methods; Audit and evaluation.

CSCCE: Consultation and listening; Data analysis; Landscape analysis; Advocacy; Collaboration; Knowledge brokering; Engagement; Moderation, mediation and intervention; Teaching and training; Speaking and presenting; Evaluation and assessment; Cultural competence; Meeting facilitation; Record-keeping; Operational planning and implementation; Social media; Content planning; Technical support.

Link to any other MVS that this MVS is based on (from those in Skills4EOSC D2.1)

Reference sources

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