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Peter van der Graaf @pvandergraaf.bsky.social · 27/09/2026

Using a complexity lens helped to understand unintended policy outcomes & chain reactions. Using this lens effectively requires a blurring of boundaries between implementation and evaluation in policy research, by identifying feedback loops while the implementation of policy is still ongoing. (4/5)

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Peter van der Graaf @pvandergraaf.bsky.social · 27/09/2026

… and demonstrated how these local changes led to system-level change (emergence), with the school system becoming more responsive to mental wellbeing needs of children, and shifts across systems (co-evolution), by developing joint values and language between schools and NHS. (3/5)

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Peter van der Graaf @pvandergraaf.bsky.social · 27/09/2026

adaptation, feedback, emergence and co-evolution, can be applied practically in the evaluation of a national policy at local government level. We identified different feedback loops, both positive and negative, that enhanced or hindered local adaptations … (2/5)

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Peter van der Graaf @pvandergraaf.bsky.social · 27/09/2026

Do you want to apply a complexity lens to policy implementation, but don't want to get lost in unhelpful metaphors? We used a UK case study of Future in Mind about improving school children's access to mental health services to illustrate how complexity concepts, such as … (1/6)

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Peter van der Graaf @pvandergraaf.bsky.social · 13/05/2026

Dr Justin Varney-Bennett providing food for thought by talking about the culture context of dietary decisions (place, identity, experiences, deprivation). Thinking about culturally intelligent eating guides, weight as an aspect of cultural identity, and the stigma of food poverty. #WSARoadmapevent

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Peter van der Graaf @pvandergraaf.bsky.social · 13/05/2026

Four lessons from Dolly van Tulekken to make national food policy work: 1) deploy a compelling argument, 2) build a movement, 3) enlist the prime minister, and 4) be bold, act fast, no regrets! #WSARoadmapevent

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Peter van der Graaf @pvandergraaf.bsky.social · 13/05/2026

Great to see Dolly van Tulleken on stage with her daughter Daphne. Reflecting on 30 years of failed government policy on obesity in England. No less than 689 policies and no reduction in obesity. #WSARoadmapevent

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Peter van der Graaf @pvandergraaf.bsky.social · 13/05/2026

Fancy a fishbowl? Come join us in Mercian 2 room at 10.55 to share learning about leadership and governance in Whole Systems Approaches set-up. #WSARoadmapevent

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Peter van der Graaf @pvandergraaf.bsky.social · 13/05/2026

Opening key note by deputy chief medical officer Dr Jeanne de Gruchy, highlighting worrying increases in obesity in both children and adults with people living in deprived areas worst affected. Food industry promotion of unhealthy foods are one of the main drivers. #WSARoadmapevent

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Peter van der Graaf @pvandergraaf.bsky.social · 13/05/2026

Very pleased to be at the #Whole #Systems #Approach Roadmap event in Birmingham talking about all things healthy weight, systems, and collaborations between academia and local authorities to share insights, including from @nihr-phirst.bsky.social projects. #WSARoadmapevent

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Peter van der Graaf @pvandergraaf.bsky.social · 15/04/2026

Many congratulations to Dr. Ruth Muscat, who successfully defended her PhD yesterday @northumbriauni.bsky.social as part of her work within the @arcnenc.bsky.social SKIM theme. 🥳. Big thank you to her examiners, Alison Brettle and Katie Haighton, for a rewarding and constructive conversation 😊. #KMb

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Peter van der Graaf @pvandergraaf.bsky.social · 12/02/2026

Researchers and practitioners need to focus more on cultural differences, power asymmetries, and contested interests, work more collaboratively and relational, while addressing the unintended consequences of spanning boundaries. This requires constant reflexivity. Great scene settings for #IMPACT26!

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Peter van der Graaf @pvandergraaf.bsky.social · 12/02/2026

Insightful keynote by @romankislov.bsky.social at the Swiss #Implementation Science Conference in Zurich, reframing implementation barriers as #boundary #spanning issues, drawing on knowledge transfer, cultural and political definitions of boundaries, and with provocative implications. #IMPACT26

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Peter van der Graaf @pvandergraaf.bsky.social · 05/02/2026

With inspiring presentations, a lively panel discussion, case studies, toolkit testing, and knowledge cafes we are planning a programme of work for the next three years. Join us!

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Peter van der Graaf @pvandergraaf.bsky.social · 05/02/2026

Today we launched the @nihr.bsky.social #Knowledge #Mobilisation for #Research #Inclusion #Incubator, bringing together researchers, community members & organisations, and health and care professionals in Birmingham to build a national network and develop capacity in #KMb.

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Peter van der Graaf @pvandergraaf.bsky.social · 21/01/2026

Defining patients as part of the NHS workforce (instead of looking at their workload to engage with the system) creates systemic and relational inequities through commodification (putting a price on health and social care) and biomedicalisation (neutralising social identities).

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Peter van der Graaf @pvandergraaf.bsky.social · 21/01/2026

Looking forward to Carl May’s talk about the #dark #side of #implementation: how inequities get embedded in interventions and services and what we can do about it @northumbriauni.bsky.social in partnership with @arcnenc.bsky.social

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Peter van der Graaf @pvandergraaf.bsky.social · 20/01/2026

Always a pleasure to present with @romankislov.bsky.social; this time an Introduction to Knowledge Mobilisation (KM) to KM Fellows across 13 @nihrarcs.bsky.social talking about the research-practice gap, knowledge brokers and the dark side of brokering, with practical tips for how to do #KM.

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Peter van der Graaf @pvandergraaf.bsky.social · 16/12/2025

Insightful visit to Tranzo at Tilburg University over the last few days as a member of their visitation (peer review) committee, talking to Faculty staff, researchers, PhD students and practitioners about the fantastic work across 9 Academic Collaborative Centres in health and social care, … 1/2

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Peter van der Graaf @pvandergraaf.bsky.social · 12/11/2025

Great to see the soft launch of the NIHR #Incubator on #Knowledge #Mobilisation for Research Inclusion, with an introduction from Gail Marzetti, Director of Science, Research and Evidence at the Department of Health and Social Care, emphasising KM as a separate profession that needs to be developed.

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Peter van der Graaf @pvandergraaf.bsky.social · 10/11/2025

Massive congratulations to @taralamont.bsky.social who passed her Viva this morning with only minor corrections! 🥳 She demonstrated the hard grafting of #knowledge #mobilisation in a thoughtful conversation with Gillian Harvey, Alison Richardson and me, … 1/2

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Peter van der Graaf @pvandergraaf.bsky.social · 04/11/2025

I enjoyed presenting a keynote today at the Sandwell Metropolitan Borough Council - Annual Research Symposium, which focused on #Mobilising and Disseminating #Knowledge in #LocalAuthorities.

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Peter van der Graaf @pvandergraaf.bsky.social · 19/08/2025

Staff in clinical academic roles reported more examples of opportunities for leading improvements in practice, and the building of connections and social support, while non-clinical academic roles more frequently reported that involvement in research provided opportunities for learning. 3/4

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Peter van der Graaf @pvandergraaf.bsky.social · 03/07/2025

Great #HSRUK25 workshop by Gemma McKenna about engaging government and policymakers, with roleplay (how to talk to your MP) and top tips for writing a policy brief. #KMb

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Peter van der Graaf @pvandergraaf.bsky.social · 03/07/2025

Gillian Vance opening #HSRUK25 plenary this morning by highlighting the workload challenges experienced by health & care staff in underserved areas, and how the new NIHR funded partnership for workforce sustainability (Workforce Voices) will research and co-design solutions with local stakeholders.

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Peter van der Graaf @pvandergraaf.bsky.social · 02/07/2025

Fun #HSRUK25 workshop by Robert Heggie, Carlos Sillero-Rejon @amylougrove.bsky.social on implementation and health economics: making decisions with coins/ sweets about balancing intervention & cost effectiveness with implementation challenges and equity, ending with thoughtful reflections #KMb

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Peter van der Graaf @pvandergraaf.bsky.social · 02/07/2025

Great opening panel #HSRUK25 about bridging practice, policy and research: it’s all about relationships, knowing when to work with the grey and speaking truth to power, and stick with the ‘old chestnuts’ (enduring themes) #KMb

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Peter van der Graaf @pvandergraaf.bsky.social · 01/07/2025

Many congratulations to Leah Buhrmann for passing her Viva today with minor corrections. 🥳 And many thanks to the always excellent examiners @annetteboaz.bsky.social and Leah Avery. @sebastianpotthoff.bsky.social @tracyfinch.bsky.social @northumbriauni.bsky.social @nihrarcs.bsky.social

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Peter van der Graaf @pvandergraaf.bsky.social · 01/07/2025

Insightful pre-Viva presentation by Leah Buhremann on her PhD thesis ‘Navigating Implementation Context in Integrated Health and Social Care: Co-development of a toolkit for implementation practitioners’. Essential reading for bridging the gap between planning and realisation of social prescribing.

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Peter van der Graaf @pvandergraaf.bsky.social · 23/06/2025

What worked well were collaborations across partners and innovative recruitment strategies.

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Peter van der Graaf @pvandergraaf.bsky.social · 23/06/2025

Fiona Graham researched the implementation of #virtualwards in the integrated care system of the North East and North Cumbria from a commissioner perspective. Service was seen as additional and technology optional, with barriers around integrating infrastructures and cultures @nihrarcs.bsky.social

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Peter van der Graaf @pvandergraaf.bsky.social · 23/06/2025

@bkbareham.bsky.social explaining the development of #virtualwards at Northumbria NHS FT using Normalisation Process Theory to highlight barriers and facilitators, such as leadership, co-design, limited adaptability of governance, patient understanding and inequality. @nihrarcs.bsky.social

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Peter van der Graaf @pvandergraaf.bsky.social · 23/06/2025

Great to be at the NIHR Applied Research Collaboration (ARC) Hospital at Home and Virtual Wards Conference 2025 in Leeds to share #knowledge between researchers, clinicians and practitioners to support mobilisation of research evidence across ARCs into practice and policy. #KMb @nihrarcs.bsky.social

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Peter van der Graaf @pvandergraaf.bsky.social · 16/06/2025

Many congratulations to Felicity Shelton for winning the #FuseAward25 for Excellence in Public Involvement and Engagement! Very well deserved 🥇 @fuseonline.bsky.social @nihrarcs.bsky.social

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Peter van der Graaf @pvandergraaf.bsky.social · 09/06/2025

Analysing existing service monitoring data demonstrated statistically significant changes across 8 confidence indicators, with greatest improvements in users' ability to ask for help. Data outlined a vulnerable population with 2/3 economically inactive and 86% suffering with >1 health issues. 4/5

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Peter van der Graaf @pvandergraaf.bsky.social · 09/06/2025

Peer interviews with service users identified that relieving financial burden and stress improved their quality of life and mental well-being. SN advocate for service users without time limits and navigate the complexities of the system across local government for service users. 3/5

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Peter van der Graaf @pvandergraaf.bsky.social · 09/06/2025

Our findings demonstrate value for money with a £3 return for every £1 invested. Social Navigators (SN) improved confidence of service users, helping them to access other advice & support services. This resulted in one-off financial (average £1,237) and annual financial gains (average £1,703). 2/5

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Peter van der Graaf @pvandergraaf.bsky.social · 06/06/2025

Great presentation by Hannah Durant about the key features and practices of knowledge mobilisation #EIE2025 #KMb

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Peter van der Graaf @pvandergraaf.bsky.social · 06/06/2025

Excellent presentation by Harriet Koorts about using system thinking for scaling up interventions: scaling is not an implementation problem, it is political and nobody talks about not scaling and scaling down. Perceived credibility (not based on research) often informs scaling decisions #EIE2025

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Peter van der Graaf @pvandergraaf.bsky.social · 06/06/2025

Excellent early career key note by Alex Waddell at #EIE2025 about the interface between digital health and implementation science, emphasising the need for acknowledging different ways of knowing and definitions of evidence and therefore the need for multidisciplinary teams.

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Peter van der Graaf @pvandergraaf.bsky.social · 05/06/2025

Second keynote by Anette Boaz at #EIE2025 emphasis that implementation is deeply relational work with adaptive relational implementation strategies having the most impact on policy.

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Peter van der Graaf @pvandergraaf.bsky.social · 05/06/2025

Great opening key note by Carl May at the #EIE2025 about the importance of #trust for dealing with uncertainly when implementing research in complex systems (while introducing a new implementation superhero: Samurai Bear 😊)

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Peter van der Graaf @pvandergraaf.bsky.social · 25/03/2025

Scott Lloyd from Middlesbrough and Redcar & Cleveland Councils highlighting the scale of outdoor marketing by food and gambling companies, showing findings from his NIHR Doctoral Fellowship on bus stops advertising @fuseonline.bsky.social

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Peter van der Graaf @pvandergraaf.bsky.social · 25/03/2025

Ellen McGrane from @sheffielduni.bsky.social showing the impact of marketing on gambling behaviour, with young people showing high exposure to advertisements and being targeted to ‘learn how to bet’. @fuseonline.bsky.social

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Peter van der Graaf @pvandergraaf.bsky.social · 25/03/2025

@emmaboyland.bsky.social demonstrating the impact of food and alcohol marketing on our intake, choice and preferences for food and alcohol and the need to reduce exposure. @fuseonline.bsky.social

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Peter van der Graaf @pvandergraaf.bsky.social · 25/03/2025

Great to be at the @fuseonline.bsky.social event today @northumbriauni.bsky.social about shaping public spaces: local authority action on advertising, with @lakenutrition.bsky.social welcoming everyone 😊

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Peter van der Graaf @pvandergraaf.bsky.social · 24/03/2025

Really enjoyed delivering online training workshops this morning and last week on planning and doing #ActionLearningSets with social care researchers and staff from Hertfordshire Council and @uhertfordshireucu.bsky.social to support use of research evidence in local government decision making. #KMb

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Peter van der Graaf @pvandergraaf.bsky.social · 18/03/2025

Pleased to be at Healthier Futures for the East event at Cambridge University to celebrate the work of the East of England Population Health Research Hub and share knowledge on research and practice in action from @fuseonline.bsky.social 😊 #KMb

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