尤物视频

This story was originally published on .

Knowledge Mobilizers is a story series from the Knowledge Mobilization Hub that highlights knowledge mobilization (KM) projects around the university. At SFU, KM is about collaborating on, and exchanging, research discoveries to create a positive impact in our far-reaching communities.

By Lupin Battersby

For Scott Lear, SFU health sciences professor, mobilizing knowledge is an integral part of helping people adopt healthier lifestyles, particularly increasing physical activity. Important work given that less than 1 in 5 Canadian adults are getting enough activity and physical inactivity is the fourth leading risk factor for early death worldwide.  

鈥淎ll of my colleagues are doing research to make a difference. We have used publications as a metric for what making a difference is, but we need to do more.鈥�

Lear engages in active knowledge mobilization 鈥� from  projects to sharing tips on social media 鈥� to support health through physical activity and healthy lifestyles. His goal is to motivate the public, as well as influence policies and planning that support physical activity.

As an applied health researcher, Lear鈥檚 research naturally aligns with knowledge mobilization. His early research projects got started by adding one community member to his research team, later expanding this engagement with more members and deeper involvement throughout research projects.

However, he still felt there was more he could do. 鈥淓ven though my performance reviews are based on my publications,鈥� he observes, 鈥渢hose publications don鈥檛 reach the people I鈥檓 trying to get more active.鈥� With that feeling, plus personal experience of the challenge of navigating the health system, a love of writing, and an upcoming sabbatical to take, he decided to start a blog.

鈥溾�� is a blog for anyone who is interested in health. Lear devoted sabbatical time to develop the blog, this included completing the SFU Writers Studio Program, reading blogs about , setting a writing schedule and goals, and creating a communications strategy.

All the planning paid off: Lear now writes one blog post per week, inspired by what is going on around him, from new research (e.g. 鈥溾��), to the time of year (e.g. 鈥溾��). His blog has over 450 followers and his posts reach from 20 鈥� 2000 additional readers, a much larger audience than the typical journal publication. He drives readership through an active presence on , with 1-3 tweets per day. More recently, he has started dabbling in other mediums such as .

Clearly, this takes time and dedication; but Lear emphasizes that it is worth it because of the impact he鈥檚 making, such as readers who have shared that the blog has helped them with their health goals, and receiving requests to use or adapt programs he has developed.

In addition, there are benefits to his teaching, research, and sense of achievement. Through writing the blog and being active on Twitter, he shares that he is 鈥渓earning far more about my field than I was before.鈥� And, he credits social media and his blog with helping him become a recognized and familiar expert in his field, which is critical, as 鈥渘ame recognition is one of the most important things for academics.鈥� Further, he explains, 鈥淚 do it because I enjoy it!鈥� The take away? Lear鈥檚 knowledge mobilization activities are benefitting society, people, and his career.