In today’s dynamic world, the advancement and rhythm of information and knowledge challenge even the most open-minded individuals, communities and societies. The present times have begun to require more than adaptive answers from the human ecosystems, they claim pro-action and a leading-edge vision towards knowledge acquisition, conversion and generation for the collective welfare. This being the case, there are specific social categories with a great potential to efficiently and properly handle knowledge in order to substantively transform the societal landscape. Here, the researchers come forth as mediators between the life of mind and knowledge in action by means of their skills to convert scientific research into collective practical outcomes. Starting from these considerations, the paper intends to approach the role of the researcher and, inherently, the function of research within the boundaries of given social structures, namely smart cities. With a view to methodologically support the pursuit of the research purpose, a synthesis of the theoretical developments on the topic was conducted, followed by a questionnaire-based survey with Romanian academics from different fields of research. The study aims to bring to the fore the unique mediating role of researchers who succeed in shaping knowledge emerging from the general questions asked within various environments towards valuable responses translated into innovative ideas, products and services for local communities acting as smart cities. As such a mediation process requires a comprehensive array of compelling interactions among entities and phenomena, a thorough investigation of the researchers’ skills and research repertoire is of the essence. The envisioned research places the discussion of the role of researchers as facilitators of long-term societal success, as promoters of smart cities, at the core of a conceptual and empirical analysis. Building on the multiple facets of researchers – specialists in their field, citizens and constituents of the public opinion, members of funding agencies and administrative entities, sources of information and educators, influencers and beneficiary of research results – the paper examines their transformative social potential towards innovation in a dynamic world.