By Dr. Schola Matovu | Nursing Professor | Nurse Scientist | Director of Global Learning and Engagement
Attending the Betty Irene Moore Nursing Innovators and Leaders Convocation in Washington, DC, once again felt like stepping into a space where purpose, intellect, and possibility converge.
These convenings are not for the faint of heart. They are intellectually demanding, emotionally stretching, and deeply immersive. Yet, they are also profoundly affirming. Every session, every exchange, every insight offered by colleagues and leaders serves as a reminder that the work we do—as nurse scholars, educators, and innovators—matters in ways that extend far beyond ourselves.
This year’s convocation was no different.
Surrounded by extraordinary nursing leaders—individuals boldly advancing groundbreaking research and innovative practice—I found myself both inspired and challenged. Speaker by speaker, topic by topic, I felt myself growing. Not just in knowledge, but in courage. Courage to think bigger. Courage to question more deeply. Courage to imagine a version of impact that is not confined by tradition.
The conversations were wide-ranging: strategic communication, negotiation, interpersonal dynamics, and the increasingly complex challenge of communicating “through the noise.” But beneath all these discussions was a unifying thread: how do we ensure that what we know actually reaches and benefits the people who need it most?
Because knowledge alone is not enough.
Advocacy for patients and communities requires more than rigorous research. It requires connection. It requires humility. It requires partnership. The communities we study are not simply recipients of knowledge; they are co-creators of it.
That truth came into even sharper focus during conversations about the role of social media in amplifying research. Listening to scientists, community members, and individuals with lived experience describe how they are leveraging digital platforms to tell stories, share evidence, and create meaningful change was deeply moving.
It also felt personal.
For too long, research has lived primarily within academic journals—spaces that are essential but often inaccessible to the very communities our work is meant to serve. I was reminded of a grandmother-caregiver who once told me:
“I want the researcher to tell me about the research—but show me how it applies to my life today.”
That statement has stayed with me because it speaks to something fundamental: relevance and accessibility are not optional—they are essential to impact.
And today, social media—when used thoughtfully and responsibly—offers a powerful pathway to bridge that gap. It allows us to meet people where they are. It invites dialogue instead of one-way dissemination. It makes space for co-creation rather than top-down communication.
During a brief exchange with a respected nursing leader at the convocation, I was asked a familiar question:
“How are those publications coming along?”
It is a question rooted in tradition—one that reflects how academia has long measured impact: through peer-reviewed articles, citations, and funding awards.
I answered the question.
But later, I found myself asking a different one:
What if we expanded our definition of impact?
What if mentors and leaders also asked:
- How is your research being engaged with in real time on TikTok?
- What conversations is your work sparking in communities on YouTube?
- Who is actually able to access and use what you’ve created?
Because the reality is this: the way people seek knowledge is evolving rapidly. Many individuals now turn to search engines, before consulting traditional healthcare systems. This is the ecosystem we are operating in—whether academia has fully acknowledged it or not.
So the question becomes:
Is academia moving at the same pace as the world it seeks to serve?
Are we communicating research in ways that are accessible, ethical, and relevant?
Are we meeting communities on the platforms they use and in the language they understand?
Are we valuing engagement and partnership alongside publication and funding?
And perhaps most importantly:
What counts as impact?
These are not simple questions. But they are necessary ones.
And perhaps that is the greatest gift of spaces like this convocation: they do not just provide answers—they create room for courageous questioning.
As I reflect on this experience, I carry both deep gratitude and renewed responsibility. The knowledge shared was powerful—but more importantly, it was activating.
It reminded me that our work is not just about producing knowledge.
It is about ensuring that knowledge lives, breathes, and transforms lives.
And in that work—truly—the sky is the limit.