Using Social Network Analysis to Monitor and Assess the Effectiveness of Knowledge Brokers at Connecting Scientists and Decision-Makers: An Australian case study

Abstract

Despite growing rhetoric regarding the potential benefits of using knowledge brokers in relation toenvironmental challenges and decision-making processes, the evidence in support of such claims ismostly anecdotal. This is, in part, due to the lack of established methods to evaluate the effective-ness and efficiency of knowledge brokers. To address this gap we assess the utility of social networkanalysis (SNA) to evaluate the effectiveness of knowledge brokers in connecting scientists anddecision-makers. Specifically, using a case-study approach, we undertake longitudinal SNA overa 12-month period to evaluate the extent to which the knowledge broker developed networks be-tween producers and users of knowledge across different organizations. We also undertook a qual-itative survey of scientists (n = 29) who worked in the same organization as the knowledge broker tounderstand the extent to which the knowledge broker increased the impact of scientific researchfor decision-making purposes. Results show that the knowledge broker developed an extensivestakeholder network of 192 individuals spanning over 30 organizations. The results of the SNAfound that over time this network increased in density and became more cohesive, both key ele-ments underpinning successful knowledge exchange. Furthermore, the qualitative survey foundthat the knowledge broker also had a positive impact in other ways, including helping researchersunderstand the operating environments within decision-making agencies and the best approachesfor engaging with specific decision-makers. Thus, this study demonstrates the value of SNA forevaluating knowledge brokers and provides empirical support for the use of knowledge brokersin the environmental sector.