Applied Research
Applied collaborations translate scientific insight into institutional decisions made under operational constraints, while maintaining the independence of inquiry.
This work is carried out in collaboration with public agencies, service providers, and community organizations. Applied projects inform the CSL’s research agenda while respecting the independence of scientific inquiry.
Current projects include access and prioritization systems, service coordination, referral networks, and data infrastructure to support institutional learning.
Forms of engagement
Applied collaborations connect research with organizations facing operational, organizational, or policy challenges across care systems.
Joint research efforts centered on clearly defined system-level questions, often involving shared data, co-development of analytical tools, and iterative exchange between research and practice.
Longer-term collaborations in which researchers work closely with partner institutions to support decision-making, system redesign, and learning over time.
Focused engagements that bring together researchers and practitioners to clarify problems, align perspectives, and identify paths forward.
Applied Projects
Current applied projects include work on waiting list prioritization, access to services, care system design, hospital flow and capacity management, community referral systems, social program targeting, and the development of data infrastructure to support learning across care systems.
Principles of Applied Work
All applied activities associated with the CSL are guided by three principles.
First, applied work must contribute meaningfully to the CSL’s scientific mission. This contribution may take the form of access to data, exposure to real decision contexts, or insights that shape future research.
Second, applied activities must never compromise the independence, integrity, or direction of scientific inquiry. Research questions, methods, and interpretations remain the responsibility of the research community.
Third, the limits of translation must be acknowledged. While models and tools can support decision-making, some questions require further analysis, deliberation, or research.
These principles maintain a clear boundary between inquiry and application, while allowing each to inform and strengthen the other.
Work with us
Organizations interested in applied collaboration are invited to contact the CSL to explore potential alignment.