In the ever-evolving landscape of scientific discovery and innovation, the concept of knowledge mobilisation has become vital for linking research to real-world impact. It involves actively sharing knowledge between communities to ensure that academic findings extend beyond laboratories and journal articles and are translated effectively to catalyse change and practice. This process not only enhances the research relevance but also shapes policies, improves public services, and addresses societal challenges.
One powerful illustration of knowledge mobilisation that I have recently witnessed is where dissemination of research by the UCL Basit Research Group directly led to NASA team members — including the chief health and medical officer — visiting the group’s research lab and the UCL School of Pharmacy.
It all began when a journal article from the 3D printing lab, led by Abdul Basit professor of pharmaceutics at the UCL School of Pharmacy and FabRx — a UCL spin-out co-founded by three UCL researchers, including Basit and Alvaro Goyanes) — caught the attention of JD Polk, chief health and medical officer at NASA.
The article, published in International Journal of Pharmaceutics: X in December 2022, discussed innovative approaches to pharmaceutical manufacturing and drug delivery in space to address the challenges posed by the extreme conditions of space travel. The authors envisioned a model for on-site medicines production in space, highlighting emerging technologies — such as chemputing, synthetic biology and 3D printing — which are being developed and could be adapted for long-duration human space flights.
The review concluded with a critical analysis of the regulatory considerations needed for adopting these technologies and proposing an international framework by which they could be enforced.
Recognising the revolutionary impact of 3D printing in space medicine, Polk contacted Basit and initiated a visit to the UCL School of Pharmacy and the Basit Research Group. Held on 19 July 2024, this visit was more than just a formality — it was an opportunity for the NASA team to engage directly with the researchers, explore their cutting edge 3D printing technologies, and discuss potential applications for integrating 3D printing into future space missions.
Polk also delivered a lecture to the School of Pharmacy community. I was invited by Basit as School of Pharmacy/Basit Research Group alumni and in my current role as deputy chief scientist for the Royal Pharmaceutical Society.
The lecture was both eye-opening and inspirational. Polk provided an in-depth account of NASA’s pioneering efforts in space medicine, the health challenges and proactive medical support for astronauts, and the upcoming manned missions to the Moon and Mars. He emphasised the critical importance of advanced medical technologies in safeguarding astronauts and future space travellers.
During the Q&A, he highlighted examples of leadership roles for pharmacists in space medicine and NASA, including:
- Assessing pharmaceutical stability in space, owing to radiation;
- Forecasting medication needs and supply planning;
- Evaluating astronauts’ medication use, for example, the importance of having sufficient over-the-counter medications for self-management to reduces calls to the flight surgeon.
While hosting the NASA team was not something the researchers originally intended or anticipated, this case study underscores the value of embracing the process of mobilising knowledge generated through research activities.
The follow-up article on the NASA website about the visit to UCL SOP states “…such technologies may also be a game-changer for deep space missions, as limited mass and volume prevents taking an entire pharmacy with you to planets like Mars.
“The ability to 3D print medications on demand in such environments would be an enabling technology.”
More recently, pharmacists Alvaro Goyanes and Anna Worsley from the FabRx team visited Cape Canaveral Space Force Station in Florida.
The National Institute for Health and Care Research provides further details on knowledge mobilisation, along with resources and frameworks. These are available here.
Has your dissemination or knowledge mobilisation of guidelines or research led to a surprising outcome? Please share in the comments.
Diane Ashiru-Oredope: lead pharmacist for healthcare-associated infections, fungal, AMR, AMU and sepsis division at the UK Health Security Agency; deputy chief scientist at the Royal Pharmaceutical Society; and honorary chair and professor of pharmaceutical public health at the University of Nottingham.
