Pathways in Place

Knowledge Hub

From Insights to Impact: Knowledge Translation in Action

This case study demonstrates how we embedded knowledge translation strategies throughout each stage of our research on flexible grant schemes. By integrating these strategies from the outset, we aimed to boost the ‘real-world’ impact of our work. The case study offers practical insights for researchers wanting to bridge the gap between evidence and action.

Download our case study: From Insights to Impact: Knowledge Translation in Action

 

The FlexFunding Framework: Getting funders and grantees on the same page about flexibility

Our systematic scoping review revealed a lack of clarity about what ‘flexibility’ means in flexible grant schemes. On some occasions, funders and grantees had differing interpretations, which can hinder the effective delivery of grant-related activities.

To address the lack of clarity around what ‘flexibility’ means in flexible grant schemes, we developed the FlexFunding Framework. The FlexFunding Framework is designed to help funders clearly communicate what ‘flexibility’ means to foster a shared language and understanding with grantees.

Download our Methods Snapshot: The FlexFunding Framework: Getting funders and grantees on the same page about flexibility

Flexible grant schemes: What the evidence says (and what we still need to know)

There have been increasing calls for more flexibility in government grant schemes. Flexible grant schemes are granting models that are designed to be adaptable to the needs of grantees by allowing them more flexibility in the use of funds, project timelines or objectives.

Given this growing interest, it was timely to map the available evidence on flexible grant schemes.

This snapshot outlines the findings of our systematic scoping review.

Download our Findings Snapshot: Flexible Grant Schemes: What the Evidence Says (and What We Still Need to Know)

A new tool to measure the capacity of organisations for system practices

Currently, no validated tools exist to measure an organisation’s capacity to engage in practices that support systems change. Without such tools, leaders and practitioners may find it challenging to identify where to focus their efforts when aiming for systems change. To address this need, we developed the Capacity of Organisations for System Practices scale—a tool designed to assess an organization’s capacity to engage in system practices.

Download our methods snapshot: A new tool to measure the capacity of organisations for system practices

Introducing the RAPT: A tool for assessing and enhancing the quality of practical resources

Sifting through the vast amount of online information to find credible practical resources such as reports and guidelines can be challenging. In this snapshot, we introduce the Resource’s Attributes for evidence-informed Practice Tool (RAPT), designed to assess the current and enhance the quality and future resources. This snapshot explains what RAPT is and how it can be used. To find out more about the purpose, development, structure and use of the tool, read our report. 

Download our methods snapshot: Introducing the RAPT: A tool for assessing and enhancing the quality of practical resources

Place-based approaches: Lessons from and for Australian federal public policy

Governments worldwide play a crucial role in funding, developing and implementing place-based approaches. Despite this, there remains a lack of research focused on public policies related to place-based approaches. In this policy brief, we present our findings from an analysis of Australian federal policies related to place-based approaches. 

Download our policy brief snapshot: Place-based approaches: Lessons from and for Australian federal public policy

Navigating resources to support the implementation of place-based approaches: Insights from a review

For those working in place-based approaches, navigating the world of resources (e.g. publications, websites, courses) can be especially challenging due to the abundance of available resources. This snapshot is a good starting point, as we share our key insights from our review of resources that support the implementation of place-based approaches.

Download our findings snapshot: Navigating resources to support the implementation of place-based approaches: Insights from a review

An approach for developing middle-range theory

There is no standardised approach to developing a middle-range theory, and researchers don’t often provide sufficient detail on the methods used to develop them. This means there is a lack of transparency and guidance for others who are developing such theories. In this methods snapshot, we describe the approach we used to develop a middle-range theory called the Theory of Systems Change.

Download our methods snapshot: An approach for developing middle-range theory

Defining success for place-based systems change approaches

There is growing attention on place-based systems change approaches to help address complex social problems. There is agreement on the goal of these approaches - to address problems and, ultimately, improve population health outcomes. However, researchers, practitioners, policy-makers and funders grapple with the question of how do we define success at the system level? In this snapshot, we address this question. Defining success for place-based systems change approaches will help those who fund, design, implement, and evaluate place-based systems change approaches and advance knowledge about the effectiveness of these approaches.

Download our findings snapshot: Defining success for place-based systems change approaches

Thinking systemically: An iceberg activity

The metaphor of an iceberg is commonly used in systems thinking because it depicts what is visible above and less visible below the surface. When working with a group, an Iceberg Activity can help participants pause and reset their thinking about underlying causes, rather than surface level problems. In this snapshot, we explain what an Iceberg Activity is, how to apply it, and what we learned from using this Iceberg Activity in our work.  

Download our methods snapshot: Thinking systemically: An iceberg activity

How can I get the best results from my Internet search?

We all use search engines on a daily basis to look for news, recipes, or music. Most of us regularly use them in our working lives. Despite this, getting the most out of search engines is not as easy as it seems. In this snapshot, we share our learnings about how to make the search engines work best for your work.  

Download our methods snapshot: How can I get the best results from my Internet search?

Engaging in co-creation through dialogue

Co-creation is a collaborative process that refers to the active involvement of community and other stakeholders in the processes of design, implementation, and evaluation. We are engaging in co-creation (through dialogue) throughout the Program, involving a range of activities and stakeholders. In this snapshot, we present a brief definition of co-creation and our approach to using it within our communities – Brimbank and Logan, as well as some of our key learnings.  

Download our methods snapshot: Engaging in co-creation through dialogue

Community resource and asset mapping

Community resource and asset mapping is an activity that focuses on identifying, locating, and cataloguing the existing assets or resources within a particular area. The data generated through the mapping shines a light on the state of service delivery in a particular place at a particular time, and can be used to inform decision-making in a range of areas, including planning for future services or identifying gaps in the system. In the Findings snapshot, we summarise the findings from an extensive community asset mapping exercise conducted in Brimbank. In the Methods snapshot, we introduce the C-CAP (Contextualise, Collect, Analyse, Present) process, a four phase approach to preparing for, conducting, and reporting on community resource mapping.  

Download our snapshots:

• Methods snapshot: The C-CAP Process for Community Resource Mapping
• Findings snapshot: Community asset mapping in Brimbank

Stakeholder mapping

Stakeholder mapping involves defining who stakeholders are, gathering information about them and analysing their roles, relationship, and/or resources. This process can help researchers, policy-makers, and practitioners better understand their local context and design strategies to work with stakeholders in change efforts. In the snapshot, we define stakeholder mapping and outline our approach to using it within two communities – Brimbank and Logan, as well as key learnings from our experiences using stakeholder mapping.  

Download our methods snapshot: Stakeholder mapping

Review of the evidence about place-based approaches

Research tells us that children and young people’s wellbeing, employment, and education outcomes are connected to where they live. Place-based approaches recognise that place matters and that local solutions are needed to address the linked, underlying causes of disadvantage. To further our understanding of place-based approaches, we conducted a review of both academic and non-academic (i.e. ‘grey’) literature relevant to place-based approaches. In this snapshot, you can read key findings from our literature review. 

Download our findings snapshot: Review of the evidence about place-based approaches

System Intermediaries: a brief literature review

Issues of a fragmented service system and siloed practices are well known. To address these challenges, some have suggested the use of System Intermediaries (sometimes also called partnership brokers or boundary spanners) to act as a bridge between researchers, practitioners, and decision-makers, enabling them to come together to advance the work of those who support children, young people and families. This snapshot summarises findings of a review of System Intermediary roles, including their key functions, practices, and challenges.

Download our findings snapshot: System Intermediaries: a brief literature review

Flexible grant schemes: a systematic scoping review

“This systematic scoping review aimed to explore the literature on flexible grant schemes, interpretations of flexibility across the grant schemes, the extent to which and how grant schemes have been evaluated, and key factors associated with the perceived success of grant schemes.”

Read the publication here: Klepac, B., Mowle, A., Fitzpatrick, E. & Craike, M. (2025) Flexible grant schemes: a systematic scoping review. BMC Public Health 25, 538

Development and testing of the capacity of organisations for system practices scale

"Organisational practices are potential levers for systems change. However, robust measures of organisational capacity to engage in these practices are lacking. Informed by the Theory of Systems Change, we developed and tested the Capacity of Organisations for System Practices (COSP) scale. The COSP scale comprises four inter-related system practices within organisations—adaptation, alignment, collaboration and evidence-driven action and learning."

Read the publication here: Craike, M, Bartlett L, Mowle A, Riley T, Krahe M, Klepac B. (2024) Development and testing of the capacity of organisations for system practices scale, Health Promotion Journal of Australia.

Government, governance, and place-based approaches: Lessons from and for public policy

“Despite the important role of public policy, there has been limited examination of public policy related to place-based approaches. We add to the limited knowledge base by analysing Australian national public policy, to explore: (1) the definitions, conceptualisations, and characteristics of place-based approaches in public policy; (2) the government’s perception and communication of its role in place-based approaches; and (3) the extent to which government policy reflects the necessary conditions for successful place-based governance developed by Marsh and colleagues, namely localised context, embedded learning, and reciprocal accountability.”

Read the publication here: Klepac B, Mowle A, Riley T, Craike, M. (2023) Government, governance, and place-based approaches: Lessons from and for public policy. Health Research Policy and Systems. 

Theory of Systems Change: An initial, middle-range theory of public health research impact

”This paper addresses the theoretical limitations of research impact, theory-based evaluation and systems thinking, by drawing on their respective literature to develop an initial, middle-range Theory of Systems Change, focused on the contribution of public health research that takes a systems perspective on population health outcomes.”

Read the publication here: Craike M, Klepac B, Mowle A, Riley T. (2023) Theory of systems change: An initial, middle-range theory of public health research impact. Research Evaluation.

The C-CAP process: A comprehensive approach to community resource mapping

”Drawing on the learnings from a literature review, scoping workshops, and reflective practice sessions, we developed a flexible, methodologically robust process called the Contextualize, Collect, Analyze, and Present (C-CAP) process: a four-phase approach to preparing for, conducting, and reporting on community resource mapping.”

Read the publication here: Mowle A, Klepac B, Riley T, Craike M. (2023) The C-CAP Process: A Comprehensive Approach to Community Resource Mapping. Health Promotion Practice.

Scoping review of practice-focused resources to support the implementation of place-based approaches

”The aims of the review are to: (1) identify and review publicly available resources that support the implementation of place-based approaches; (2) review the attributes of selected resources to guide evidence-informed practice using an originally developed tool; and (3) identify priority areas for future development of resources aimed at supporting the implementation of place-based approaches.”

Read the publication here: Klepac B, Branch S, McVey L, Mowle A, Riley T, Craike M. (2023) Scoping review of practice-focused resources to support the implementation of place-based approaches, Health Promotion Journal of Australia. 

Mapping community assets in Brimbank

This report can be used by organisations in Brimbank to provide an understanding of the existing assets within the City of Brimbank that support the attainment of education in youth, employment and mental wellbeing.

Read the report here: Mapping community assets in Brimbank

Mapping the Hume Jobs and Skills Ecosystem

This commissioned report identifies programs in Hume City related to employment and education.  

Read the report here: Mapping the Hume Jobs and Skills Ecosystem

How does public policy frame practices necessary for well-functioning systems? An analysis of Australian federal public policy on place-based approaches

We propose that adaptation, alignment,  collaboration, and evidence-driven action and learning are four practices necessary for well-functioning systems in the Theory of Systems Change. In this report, we examine how Australian federal policies related to place-based approaches frame these four practices.

Read the report here: How does public policy frame practices necessary for well-functioning systems? An analysis of Australian federal public policy on place-based approaches

Development, structure and use of the Resources’ Attributes for evidence-informed Practice Tool (RAPT)

This report explains the purpose, development, structure and use of the Resources’ Attributes for evidence-informed Practice Tool (RAPT), which was designed to be used by practitioners, decision-makers, and community members who rely on various practical resources, such as reports, guidelines and implementation plans, to inform their work. 

Read the report here: Development, structure and use of the Resources’ Attributes for evidence-informed Practice Tool (RAPT)

Resources’ Attributes for evidence-informed Practice Tool (RAPT)

Practitioners, decision-makers, and community members rely on various practical resources, such as reports, guidelines and implementation plans, to inform their work. Despite the potential of these resources to influence decision-making and practice, there is currently no tool to examine their attributes or assess their usefulness to practitioners and decision-makers. This prompted us to develop the Resources’ Attributes for evidence-informed Practice Tool (RAPT).

Download the tool: Klepac, B., Mowle, A., Riley, T., Craike, M (2023) Resources’ Attributes for evidence-informed Practice Tool (RAPT). Pathways in Place-Victoria University.

C-CAP Process for Community Resource Mapping

Community resource mapping can help to develop an in-depth understanding of community resources, such as programs, services, and infrastructure. The C-CAP process is suitable for anyone who seeks to identify a community’s strengths and resources, including practitioners, researchers, and policymakers. This tool can be used to assist in this process.

For guidance on how to use this template for community resource mapping, please see our peer-reviewed publication and our methods snapshot.

Download the tool: Mowle, A., Klepac, B., Riley, T., Craike, M., 2023, 'The C-CAP Process for Community Resource Mapping', Health Promotion Practice.

System Map

This System Map shows insights into the education and employment pathways available to young people in Brimbank. It was created by graphic artist Kirsten Moegerlein based on insights provided by a number of Brimbank community stakeholders.

• pathways-in-place-system-map (PDF, 3.35 MB)