The aim of the Health Policy and Integrated Knowledge Translation (HPiKT) Working Group is to strengthen the connection between evidence and policy by fostering genuine collaboration among researchers, policy-makers, practitioners, and communities. By integrating IKT principles into health policy processes, the group seeks to ensure that research is co-produced, contextually relevant, and directly responsive to policy and system needs. This approach bridges the traditional gap between knowledge generation and decision-making, promotes mutual learning, and enhances the uptake of evidence in real-world policy development and implementation. Ultimately, the Working Group aims to advance more equitable, evidence-informed, and sustainable health policies that improve outcomes for populations and health systems alike.

The HPiKT Working Group will provide a forum for HIGH researchers and hopefully with time and through funded projects for policy-makers, practitioners, and community representatives to share knowledge, build capacity, and advance the practice of IKT in health policy contexts. Specifically, we will aim to:

1. Build capacity - Set up an iKT short course open to HIGH members, PhD and Masters students as well as external participants

2. Network – team up with HIGH members, university teams etc. that need to identify and co-produce knowledge on effective IKT approaches in policy and health systems

3. Collaboration - Support the translation of research findings into actionable policy recommendations in various projects across HIGH and beyond e.g. policy briefs

4. Set-up Forums - Facilitate exchange between academic, policy, and community stakeholders