Knowledge Mobilization in Action: Our Principles
K2Action is more than a resource hub; it is a knowledge mobilization initiative founded on the belief that academic research carries a direct responsibility to serve the public good.
This platform was designed and developed by Milad Zhoolideh, PhD Candidate in Rural Studies at the University of Guelph, to intentionally break down the walls between the university and the communities most affected by environmental change.
Our work is driven by three principles that define our approach to engaged leadership:
1. Ownership and Design
K2Action was built from the ground up to address a clear gap: the lack of accessible, bilingual platforms connecting complex governance research with practitioners and community leaders. We own the process, from the development of participatory methods (such as PRA mapping and ranking, as seen in our galleries) to the translation of research findings into practical language.
2. Collaborative Methodology
We champion facilitative leadership, meaning our role is not to direct, but to create the space where local and Indigenous knowledge can guide decision-making.
Evidence in Action: Our extensive use of tools like the Participatory Rural Appraisal (PRA) is central to this. We treat communities as co-researchers, ensuring that the knowledge generated is locally legitimate and immediately actionable.
3. Commitment to Dialogue
Authentic leadership requires seeking out diverse perspectives. This platform is an ongoing commitment to dialogue—providing clear evidence to policy-makers while simultaneously creating channels for residents, farmers, and students to critique and inform the research process.
