Language is an essential part of our humanity – whether written, spoken, or otherwise expressed, it is how we connect with one another, share ideas, learn, and understand ourselves and our environment.  According to linguistics scholars, language is historical, psychological, social, and cultural, and it influences how we perceive the world, shapes our behavior, and can both differentiate and connect communities. In these same ways, language is a critical dimension of our work as knowledge brokers: with thoughtful use it can expand horizons, foster shared understandings and commitments, and build bridges – even provide the foundation for a shared identity as knowledge brokers. But without care, language can confuse, mislead, marginalize, or undermine important work. And perhaps now more than ever, we need language that can help us repair, restart, and revitalize work at the nexus of research, policy, and practice.

Many aspects of language are relevant to knowledge brokering – many more than I’ll lay out here – but for now, I’ve found four to be particularly salient to my own work and to others who have shared their experiences with me. 

First is the language of knowledge, evidence, research, and science. These terms are sometimes used interchangeably but often have different connotations in practice and in different spaces.  These terms can signal values, hierarchies of knowledge, and what “counts” in policy and practice, possibly intentionally but often without being problematized or explored in conversation. Further, these terms have been politicized and mobilized for different agendas, whether pushes for evidence-based practice or anti-science movements. Defining terms can be critically important (here’s an example from a 2012 National Research Council Report) but so can adopting too broad or too narrow a definition. As knowledge brokers, it is important to consider this aspect of language, to promote common terms and navigate different understandings of those terms, and to use language most relevant to the context at hand.  

Second is the language of relationships and collaboration. Knowledge brokering is inherently a relational practice, which requires deep consideration of how we position ourselves relative to others and, subsequently, how language communicates that positionality. The language of relationships can entail framing of “I” versus “we” versus “they”; it can suggest reciprocality or directionality; it can suggest hierarchy or shared power; it can open up or shut down conversation. Language is therefore a foundation for building relationships, establishing trust, productive collaboration, and exchange of ideas – a superpower if you will. 

Third is the language of inclusion. This is related to relational and collaborative language, but is more focused on bringing diverse perspectives and communities into the work and working against implicit biases and stereotypes. Included here is culturally affirming language, accessible language, person-first language, gendered language, and other examples. As Efua Andoh of the American Psychological Association so eloquently stated

Inclusive language is more than just avoiding the use of a few antiquated or offensive terms and phrases. It is about embracing communication that acknowledges the power differentials and dynamics of our society and their deleterious effects. It is about showing appreciation for the diversity everyone brings to the table. And finally, it is about creating cultures where people can feel free to be their full authentic selves.

Last, and on a somewhat different note, is the language of framing. Framing is common in policy, organizing, and advocacy fields, all of which are salient to our work as knowledge brokers. It involves using communication to reflect values and commitments that help us to connect with and reach potential audiences and collaborators.  Language can help to generate support, to bring disparate views closer together, and to make research communications more effective. Simply put, framing can help brokers to communicate ideas, particularly on contentious, complex, and sensitive issues, in order to bring folks to the table and move important work forward.

As viewed through these four lenses, language is undeniably an essential component of knowledge brokering – and our use of it positions us for success or failure in our efforts to work collaboratively around educational improvement and equity.  But more often than not, knowledge brokers learn mostly from experience, and sometimes from mistakes, and those can be hard lessons to learn. Over the next several months, the Education Knowledge Broker Network will host events aimed at unpacking and exploring each of these topics, helping to elevate our awareness and skills related to use of language, and opening up conversations about improving our collective work. Stay tuned through our newsletter, website, and social media and join us for these important conversations!