Commentary A Creative Approach to the Development of an Agenda for Knowledge Utilization: Outputs from the 11th International Knowledge Utilization Colloquium (KU 11) Joyce E. Wilkinson, PhD, BA, Dip CPCouns, RSCN, RGN, RHV, Jo Rycroft-Malone, RN, PhD, Huw T.O. Davies, PhD, MSc, MA, BA, Brendan McCormack, DPhil, BSc, RGN, RMN ABSTRACT A group of researchers and practitioners interested in advancing knowledge utilization met as a colloquium in Belfast (KU 11) and used a “world caf´ e” approach to exploit the social capital and shared understanding built up over previous events to consider the research and practice agenda. We considered three key areas of relevance to knowledge use: (1) understanding the nature of research use, influence and impact; (2) blended and collaborative approaches to knowledge production and use; and (3) supporting sustainability and spread of evidence-informed innovations. The approach enabled the development of artifacts that reflected the three areas and these were analyzed using a creative hermeneutic approach. The themes that emerged and which are outlined in this commentary are not mutually exclusive. There was much overlap in the discussions and therefore of the themes, reflecting the complex nature of knowledge translation work. The agenda that has emerged from KU 11 also reflects the participatory and creative approach in which the meeting was structured and focused, and therefore emphasizes the processual, relational and contingent nature of some of the challenges we face. The past 20 years has seen an explosion in activity around understanding KU, and we have learned much about the difficulties. Whilst the agenda for the next decade may be becoming clearer, colloquia such as KU 11, using creative and engaging approaches, have a key role to play in dissecting, articulating and sharing that agenda. In this way, we also build an ever-expanding international community that is dedicated to working towards increasing the chances of success for better patient care. KEYWORDS knowledge utilisation, knowledge translation, research utilisation A round the globe, there has been increasing attention placed on how the use of evidence in practice can lead to better outcomes for patients. Despite this attention, the gap between what we (think) know from evidence and Joyce E. Wilkinson, Research Fellow in Implementation Science, Centre for Health Related Research, Bangor University, Gwynedd, Wales, UK; Jo Rycroft-Malone, Professor of Health Services and Implementation Research and University Director of Research, Centre for Health Related Research, Bangor University, Wales, UK; Huw T.O. Davies, Professor of Health Care Policy & Management, School of Management, University of St Andrews, Scotland, UK; Brendan McCormack, Professor of Nursing Research, Director of Institute of Nursing Research, University of Ulster, Belfast, Northern Ireland, UK. We would like to acknowledge the contribution of the KU 11 local planning committee and all the KU 11 attendees to the world caf´ e sessions and to the following for participating in the analysis session Anna Ehrenberg, Ghada Abdullah, Tracey Bucknall, Catherine Buckley, Chris Burton, Kara deCorby Elizabeth Doherty, Judith Field, Denise Harrison Margaret Harrison Claire Hawkes Donna Havens Peter Jones Debra Kenny, Andrea Marshall, Jacqueline Martin, Lucy Melville, Paula Robeson, Alyce Schultz, Erna Snelgrove-Clarke, Cheryl Stetler, Janet Yamada, Lars Wallin, Kim Widger, and Lynne Williams. Address correspondence to Dr. Joyce E. Wilkinson, Centre for Health Related Research, Bangor University, Fron Heulog, Ffriddeodd Road, Bangor, Gwynedd, Wales LL57 2EF, UK; j.e.wilkinson@bangor.ac.uk Accepted 19 March 2012 Copyright ©2012 Sigma Theta Tau International doi: 10.1111/j.1741-6787.2012.00261.x what is practiced often remains wide. Since 2000, the in- ternational KU colloquia have met annually to explore the challenges of knowledge utilization in health care (http:// www.kusp.ualberta.ca/en/KnowledgeUtilizationColloquia. Worldviews on Evidence-Based Nursing  xxxx Quarter 2012 1