Assignment 1

Objective: Practice what we can learn about KT by “thinking about power.”

Assignment:  In small groups, design a “knowledge to action” activity to contribute to a KT initiative of your choosing, or to the Gen Squeeze KT case study featured in the class. (15% of grade.  Due October 20, 2021 by 8am.  Late penalties imposed thereafter). 

Groups will present in class a draft of your responses to the first 14 questions during Week 5.  In week 7, groups will present draft answers to questions 15-20.  The final draft is due October 20 by 8am.

Please submit the assignment as a Word Document by email to paul.kershaw@ubc.ca using the subject line "SPPH 581N 2022 Assignment 1".

To design and plan this activity, please produce a short report that answers all of the following questions.  Answers can be as short as a phrase or sentence as required, or as long as a paragraph or two.

Identify Shared Purpose

1.  What problem do we need to solve?

2.  How will the world change if we solve it? What does this reveal about our goal?

Develop Theory of Change

3.  Who has the power to solve the problem and create the change we want to see?

4.  What is wanted by those with the power?  Why have they not already created the change?

To help you explore the answers to questions 3 and 4, consider:

5.  Who has the greatest interest in change; greatest interest in achieving our goal?

6.  Who has the greatest interest in the status quo?

7.  Who is on the sidelines?

8.  What do answers 5-7 reveal about who is our constituency (who are our people)?

9.  Given answers 5-8, who are leaders in the constituency? Who are supporters? Who are competition? Who are opposition?

10.  Do any answers to questions 4-9 require revisions to our initial answers for questions 1, 2 or 3? If so, change those answers above.  The point of question 10 is to encourage your first nine responses to be developed in an iterative way.

11. If the power to make the change rests with others, what do we have that they want?

12. How can we leverage our resources to influence what is wanted by those with the power to make the change? Can we help them get more of what they want?  Can we hinder their getting what they want?

13. Reflecting on the above, what is our theory of change? State explicitly “If our people do…., then the result will be…, because…”

14. Given this theory of change, our one sentence organizing statement is: We are organizing Who? to achieve What? through How? by When?

Design a Kickoff Activity that contributes to the Implementation of Our Theory of Change

15. What is the activity? What will the activity look like? When will it take place? Where?

16. Who will be involved? How many?  What will people be doing?  What will you be doing?

17. What measurable outcome will you try to achieve with this kickoff activity?

18. How will the activity be motivational for the constituency?

19. Why did you choose this activity from among the other available tactics?

20. For this specific activity, who are the leaders? Who are supporters?  Who are competition? Who are opposition? Do any of the latter have the resources/power to prevent the activity?  If so, what do they want?  And what do we have that they want?

List the things that need to get done between now and the scheduled date of your activity in order to organize it effectively.

Students will be evaluated according to their ability to articulate:

• the constituency for the KT activity,
• their shared purpose,
• a theory of change that motivates the KT initiative to achieve that shared purpose, one that engages with the power dynamics that will mediate the success of the KT initiative, and
• the selection of tactics by which to launch an activity that is guided by that theory of change.
• see also the general rubric featured in the Approach to Evaluation

This assignment invites students to practice performing the following core MPH competencies recommended by CEPH:

4.Interpret results of data analysis for public health research, policy or practice.

8. Apply awareness of cultural values and practise to the design or implementation of public health policies or programs.

9. Design a population-based policy, program, project or intervention.

12. Discuss multiple dimensions of the policy-making process, including the roles of ethics and evidence.

13. Propose strategies to identify stakeholders and build coalitions and partnership for influencing public health outcomes.

14. Advocate for political, social or economic policies and programs that will improve health in diverse population.

15. Evaluate policies for their impact on public health and health equity.

16. Apply principles of leadership..., which include creating a vision, empowering others, fostering collaboration and guiding decision making.

18. Select communication strategies for different audiences and sectors.

19. Communicate audience-appropriate public health content, both in writing and through oral presentation.

20. Describe the importance of cultural competence in communicating public health content.

22. Apply systems thinking tools to a public health issue.