Making a Difference: Translating Information Research into Practice, Policy, and Action

ABSTRACT This panel presents information research cases translating impact into practice, policy, and action that make a difference in varied contexts of study. Initiatives of collective impact are applied and/or proposed, and the following models of research and research studies, exemplifying critical collective impact and making a difference IN research and WITH communities, are discussed in the following three panel presentations: 1. Towards a Critical Approach to Community‐engaged Information Research and Shared Knowledge; 2. From Research to Strategic Planning to Collective Action: A Logic Model Using Theory of Change to Further Civic Engagement for Racial Justice in Public Libraries; 3. Building a Smart City Portal for a Sustainable Future Through a Collective Impact Approach. The presentations are followed by critical engagement with the audience in the session to interrogate making a difference, what contributes to effective community engagement and translatable results, that is, difference in making (process) and making a difference (impact). Panelists represent both practice‐based and academic settings who report on their research, projects, and reflections on applying collective impact in making a difference.