What is Connectional Research? How is it different from Translational or Fundamental research? Whereas fundamental research is concerned with theoretical development and empirical testing, and translational research is focused largely on commercializing lab-based discoveries or developments, connectional research is concerned with creating knowledge that links lab knowledge to relevant stakeholders—the linking knowledge to be developed may form a product or service that may be then ready for translation, or it may yield an education program or a policy paper, amongst other things.

To help prepare students to carry out Connectional Research, students are directed to take the course NEUR710 (currently open to all Faculty of Medicine students). This course aims to provide both conceptual and hands-on training in connectional research, with an emphasis on lab-to-world research and academic entrepreneurship. Through targeted exercises, individual and team tasks and lectures, students will be exposed to many concepts in ideation, idea refinement and definition, stakeholder identification, market analysis and ethnographic studies, compelling communication and team building.