Background: There are a number of approaches for encouraging knowledge translation. The UK s Economic and Social Research Council facilitates one such approach by funding academics to work in government on placements for up to a year. This scheme enabled one systematic reviewer to spend a year within England s National Audit Office. The Office audits all national government spending combining auditing financial accounts with programme evaluation. Projects range from evaluating major defence projects to reviewing initiatives for tackling problem drug use. This ESRC placement provided a range of opportunities for knowledge sharing and translation. Objectives: This study set out to reflect on such placements as a means of facilitating knowledge translation and draw out lessons for systematic reviewers. Methods: An action research model was employed with data collected through a reflective diary and analysed qualitatively. Results: This analysis highlighted a mismatch between the researcher s understanding of policy and practice and the reality. Differing priorities and pressures meant that requirements for, understanding of and commitment to research quality differed significantly across the audit and research worlds. The value of bridging these two worlds was apparent, with knowledge translation occurring in both directions: technical research knowledge into audit, and experiential knowledge into research. Furthermore, whilst the initial intention was to deliver research knowledge in the form of results, the fellowship centred on developing research methods skills, enabling more sustainable change. Conclusion: Stepping outside of our comfort zones to work with users of systematic reviews enhances the process of knowledge translation, with scope for more relevant and translated research. By translating not only research results, but also research skills more sustainable transformation can occur.