“Knowledge transfer” papers
Instructions
Objectives: “Knowledge transfer” is a term used in the Hong Kong research funding landscape.
The rationale behind this idea is broadly applicable and beneficial to different sectors outside of
academia. “Knowledge transfer” originated from an interest in better connecting research and
policy. It aims to explicitly facilitate evidence-based policies and practices. It also encourages
academics to consider and increase the real-world impact of their research. This short paper
assignment requires that you produce op-ed style writing that facilitates the use of research
knowledge beyond academia in a way that “[shares] knowledge with society in bringing about
socio-economic benefits and impact to the community and businesses, as well as to cultivate public
appreciation for the valuable contributions of the higher education sector to society as a whole”
(language from the HKSAR University Grants Committee). Funding agencies in the United States
and Canada, for example, use the term “knowledge mobilization” to discuss the same idea.
Different from some op-ed writing, arguments should explicitly be based on rigorous academic
research and appropriate evidence. Review the op-ed sections of prominent news outlets (e.g.,
WaPo, the New York Times), the former Monkey Cage, Good Authority, and the Conversation
for examples.
For style, see some examples below:
- Germany Foiled a Far-Right Coup Attempt. It Still Has a Right-Wing Problem (Jeyhun
Alizade, Rafaela Dancygier and Jonathan Homola)
https://spia.princeton.edu/news/germany-foiled-far-right-coup-attempt-it-still-has-right-
wing-problem (Monkey Cage)
- Is there a green policy backlash? (Eric Voeten) https://goodauthority.org/news/is-there-a-
green-policy-backlash/ (Good Authority)
- Women in politics: To run or not to run? (Semra Sevi) https://theconversation.com/women-
in-politics-to-run-or-not-to-run-200518 (The Conversation)
Requirements: You are expected to select a topic related to the course and use the assigned
readings. You should also use other sources, such as academic research or think tank publications,
to support your arguments. Like conventional term papers, there is a strong preference for peer-
reviewed research (journal articles, university press books). Unlike conventional term papers, use
hyperlinks to link readers to the sources you used. These hyperlinks should work. While you will
reference these works using hyperlinks, also include a reference list at the end of your essay (in
any citation format as long as it is consistent).
Grading:
- Content: 80%
o Is this a matter of importance? Did you convince the reader that they should care
about the topic of your choice? (“Why should we care?”)
o Did you use appropriate evidence to support your claims and arguments?
o Use at least 3 other academic sources not assigned by the instructor
o Did you “transfer knowledge” in a way that can have real-world impact on policy
or practices? Did the piece bridge a gap between research and policy/practice?
o Is the contribution insightful and/or original?
- Style, grammar, and clarity: 15%
o The essay should be free of noticeable spelling and grammatical errors.
o Hyperlinks to your sources should work
- References: 5%
o Sources must be appropriately acknowledged, with a reference list in any
consistent citation format.
o See syllabus on AI policy
Late penalty: Late penalties for the paper assignments are 3 percent per day, including
weekends. Days will be rounded up to the next whole number (e.g., 0.5 days late will be treated
as 1 day late).
Due date:
- April 22, 2025
- You are welcome to submit your paper on Moodle before the deadline on Moodle as soon
as you complete your paper. This is often a good idea to reduce your workload at the end
of the semester.
- Your work will be graded only once, but the assignment is set on Moodle such that you
can upload your file 5 times in case you made a mistake.