Table 2 Distribution of responses for perceptions of facilitators and barriers to engagement
Factor | Survey phrasing | Facilitator n (%) | Barrier n (%) | Both n (%) | Neither n (%) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Individual characteristics | |||||
Experiential knowledge | “Previous professional/practical experience in a decision-making environment” | 115 (55) | 20 (10) | 6 (3) | 70 (33) |
Career stage | “Stage I am at in my professional career” | 104 (49) | 47 (22) | 22 (10) | 38 (18) |
Faculty position | “My (academic or administrative) role/position at JHSPH” | 114 (54) | 27 (13) | 23 (11) | 47 (22) |
KT skills | “Communication/knowledge translation/advocacy skills” | 135 (64) | 27 (13) | 19 (9) | 30 (14) |
Institutional environment | |||||
Departmental reimbursement | “Reimbursement by my department of costs incurred as a result of engagement” | 41 (19) | 33 (16) | 2 (1) | 135 (64) |
Academic incentives | “Academic incentives (e.g. contribution to promotion and tenure) for engaging with decision-makers on research results/priorities etc.” | 73 (35) | 39 (19) | 13 (6) | 86 (41) |
Workplace location | “Geographic location of my workplace” | 99 (47) | 31 (15) | 18 (9) | 63 (30) |
Departmental culture | “Culture of pursuing policy- and/or practice- relevant research in my department” | 116 (55) | 29 (14) | 11 (5) | 55 (26) |
Non-financial support | “Support (non-financial) from my supervisor/department” | 122 (58) | 27 (13) | 13 (6) | 49 (23) |
Dedicated time | “Ability to carve out dedicated time for engagement with decision-makers” | 65 (31) | 90 (43) | 20 (10) | 36 (17) |
Institutional affiliation | “Being affiliated with JHSPH (e.g. implied credibility)” | 164 (78) | 2 (1) | 27 (13) | 18 (9) |
Relational dynamics | |||||
Personal networks | “My own pre-existing relationships/networks” | 139 (66) | 17 (8) | 10 (5) | 45 (21) |
Peer introductions | “Introduction to decision-makers by colleagues who have relevant relationships/networks” | 164 (78) | 7 (3) | 8 (4) | 32 (15) |
Network culture | “Culture of policy engagement amongst my professional network outside the SPH” | 126 (60) | 12 (6) | 9 (4) | 64 (30) |
Peer skills | “Support from colleagues with communication/knowledge translation/advocacy skills” | 130 (62) | 12 (6) | 8 (4) | 61 (29) |
Research focus | |||||
Research relevance | “Relevance of my research to pertinent policy issues” | 164 (78) | 5 (2) | 23 (11) | 19 (9) |
Research implications | “Inclusion of contextual, economic or implementation-related implications of my research” | 130 (62) | 7 (3) | 14 (7) | 60 (28) |
Funder policies | |||||
External funding | “Financial support/compensation from external sources (funders) for engagement” | 91 (43) | 24 (11) | 38 (18) | 58 (28) |
Funder requirements | “Requirements from funders regarding dissemination and policy engagement (e.g. lobbying restrictions, dissemination beyond publications, etc.)” | 73 (35) | 14 (7) | 23 (11) | 101 (48) |