Abstract
Can scholarship truly advance knowledge if readers struggle to use it? In emergency management (EM) research, rigor is essential, yet reliability and credibility do not guarantee impact. This paper examines the persistent tension between rigor and readability and argues that integrating them is necessary to produce evidence practitioners can understand, trust, and apply. Drawing on international literature and author-practitioner experience, we situate this challenge within broader knowledge mobilization discourse and advance practical strategies to strengthen uptake. The Sendai Framework for Disaster Risk Reduction 2015-2030 reinforces this imperative, calling for evidence that is accessible and actionable. With 4 years remaining in its implementation period, EM scholarship must move beyond privileging citations and journal prestige toward demonstrating real-world value. This paper translates that mandate into a role-specific call to action. When rigor and readability are balanced, evidence shifts from static knowledge to guidance-driving policy, informing practice, and equipping practitioners to navigate increasingly complex risk environments.