This article is excerpted from the Gavi Zero-Dose Learning Hub publication “Knowledge Translation for Zero-Dose Immunization Research”.
In its role as the Learning Innovation Unit (LIU) lead, The Geneva Learning Foundation (TGLF) conceptualized a baseline strategy for knowledge translation (KT).
TGLF developed the following recommendations to support the Country Learning Hubs’ (CLH) KT work.
The recommendations are intended to improve the use of evidence generated by research, ensuring it effectively informs practices, policies, and interventions targeting vaccine equity.
Each recommendation is accompanied by a rationale and example.
Together, these recommendations aim to build a robust and efficient approach to KT that maximizes the impact of research findings on identifying and reaching ZD and UI children, ultimately contributing to improved immunization equity. This toolkit provides researchers with a list of steps for planning for KT with guiding
Table 1. KT Recommendations from TGLF
| Recommendation | Example |
| Perform a rapid capacity audit for KT to inform strategies. Diagnose organizational capacity for KT and builds on available infrastructure and expertise, while tailoring strategies to address limitations. | Rapid capacity audit questions include: (1) what percent of resources are committed to KT?, (2) what competencies are needed for KT?, and (3) what networks are needed for KT? |
| Integrate KT planning from the research inception. Get buy-in from stakeholders, and capitalize on emerging insights. This will also allow sufficient time for capacity strengthening, prevent lags between results and translation, and create efficiencies. | Establish KT goals at the beginning of the project, and consider the KT goals while designing evaluation frameworks and stakeholder engagement plans. |
| Engage intended stakeholders/audiences throughout the evidence generation process. Drive relevance, applicability, and shared ownership of emerging findings. | Include sub-national practitioners on advisory committees, and engage stakeholders and communities in developing research questions. |
| Implement co-creation and participatory processes. Foster a culture that values active listening; encourages engagement with diverse viewpoints; and supports questioning, feedback, and experimentation. This approach underpins the development of a shared vision for collective progress and innovation. | Involve a diverse group of stakeholders. Explore rapid feedback mechanisms. Establish platforms or forums for peer-to-peer exchange, where individuals can share their success stories and challenges. |
| Tailor methods and communications materials to the audience(s). Contribute to the effectiveness and impact of KT efforts. | Identify audience(s) and their preferred mode(s) of communication and needs (i.e., busy policymakers may prefer short, non-technical policy briefs). |
| Leverage informal networks and create continuous learning opportunities to translate evidence. Tap into peer learning and try new ideas; facilitate cost-effective diffusion that enables adaptation. | Identify influencers. Support sharing through professional networks and learning collaboratives. |
| Capture user feedback systematically on value and use. Demonstrate the value and use of the translated knowledge. | Distribute short usage surveys when research outputs are accessed (post-webinar/event surveys, follow-up email/surveys after sharing resources). |
| Monitor changes in policies and practices beyond dissemination metrics.Facilitate evidence uptake and measurable improvements from application. | Establish key indicators on changes adopted across networks based on research findings. |
| Share experiences. Encourage learning from real-world examples of how evidence-based practices have been adapted and implemented. This can inform efforts to tailor interventions to unique settings, fostering innovation and problem-solving. | Develop and disseminate case studies that highlight the pathway from learning to action, facilitating peer-to-peer learning and accelerating the adoption of effective practices. |
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