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Researchers' roles in knowledge co-production: experience from sustainability research in Kenya, Switzerland, Bolivia and Nepal

Author

Listed:
  • Christian Pohl
  • Stephan Rist
  • Anne Zimmermann
  • Patricia Fry
  • Ghana S Gurung
  • Flurina Schneider
  • Chinwe Ifejika Speranza
  • Boniface Kiteme
  • Sébastian Boillat
  • Elvira Serrano
  • Gertrude Hirsch Hadorn
  • Urs Wiesmann

Abstract

Co-production of knowledge between academic and non-academic communities is a prerequisite for research aiming at more sustainable development paths. Sustainability researchers face three challenges in such co-production: (a) addressing power relations; (b) interrelating different perspectives on the issues at stake; and (c) promoting a previously negotiated orientation towards sustainable development. A systematic comparison of four sustainability research projects in Kenya (vulnerability to drought), Switzerland (soil protection), Bolivia and Nepal (conservation vs. development) shows how the researchers intuitively adopted three different roles to face these challenges: the roles of reflective scientist, intermediary, and facilitator of a joint learning process. From this systematized and iterative self-reflection on the roles that a researcher can assume in the indeterminate social space where knowledge is co-produced, we draw conclusions regarding training. Copyright , Beech Tree Publishing.

Suggested Citation

  • Christian Pohl & Stephan Rist & Anne Zimmermann & Patricia Fry & Ghana S Gurung & Flurina Schneider & Chinwe Ifejika Speranza & Boniface Kiteme & Sébastian Boillat & Elvira Serrano & Gertrude Hirsch H, 2010. "Researchers' roles in knowledge co-production: experience from sustainability research in Kenya, Switzerland, Bolivia and Nepal," Science and Public Policy, Oxford University Press, vol. 37(4), pages 267-281, May.
    • Handle: RePEc:oup:scippl:v:37:y:2010:i:4:p:267-281
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    1. Cornel Likale Ndombi & Dorothy Ndunge Kyalo & Angeline Sabina Mulwa, 2020. "Enhancing sustainability of donor funded livelihood projects in Kilifi County through effective monitoring and evaluation," International Journal of Research in Business and Social Science (2147-4478), Center for the Strategic Studies in Business and Finance, vol. 9(6), pages 168-182, October.
    2. Juerges, Nataly & Jahn, Stephanie, 2020. "German forest management stakeholders at the science-society interface: Their views on problem definition, knowledge production and research utilization," Forest Policy and Economics, Elsevier, vol. 111(C).
    3. Matthias Bürgi & Panna Ali & Afroza Chowdhury & Andreas Heinimann & Cornelia Hett & Felix Kienast & Manoranjan Kumar Mondal & Bishnu Raj Upreti & Peter H. Verburg, 2017. "Integrated Landscape Approach: Closing the Gap between Theory and Application," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 9(8), pages 1-13, August.
    4. Schmidt, Alena & Mack, Gabriele & Möhring, Anke & Mann, Stefan & El Benni, Nadja, 2019. "Stricter cross-compliance standards in Switzerland: Economic and environmental impacts at farm- and sector-level," Agricultural Systems, Elsevier, vol. 176(C).
    5. Koch, Susanne, 2018. "“Identifying enabling factors of science-policy interaction in a developing country context: A case study of South Africa's environment sector”," Forest Policy and Economics, Elsevier, vol. 91(C), pages 36-45.
    6. Ingram, Julie & Dwyer, Janet & Gaskell, Peter & Mills, Jane & Wolf, Pieter de, 2018. "Reconceptualising translation in agricultural innovation: A co-translation approach to bring research knowledge and practice closer together," Land Use Policy, Elsevier, vol. 70(C), pages 38-51.
    7. Taru Peltola & Sanna-Riikka Saarela & Juha M & Tapio Litmanen & Jani Lukkarinen & Ismo Pölönen & Outi Ratamäki & Heli Saarikoski & Miikka Salo & Suvi Vikström, 2023. "Researcher roles in collaborative governance interventions," Science and Public Policy, Oxford University Press, vol. 50(5), pages 871-880.
    8. Cornelia Fischer & Verena Radinger-Peer & Larissa Krainer & Marianne Penker, 2024. "Communication tools and their support for integration in transdisciplinary research projects," Palgrave Communications, Palgrave Macmillan, vol. 11(1), pages 1-16, December.
    9. Hubeau, Marianne & Marchand, Fleur & Coteur, Ine & Mondelaers, Koen & Debruyne, Lies & Van Huylenbroeck, Guido, 2017. "A new agri-food systems sustainability approach to identify shared transformation pathways towards sustainability," Ecological Economics, Elsevier, vol. 131(C), pages 52-63.
    10. Aguirre-Bastos, Carlos & Weber, Matthias K., 2018. "Foresight for shaping national innovation systems in developing economies," Technological Forecasting and Social Change, Elsevier, vol. 128(C), pages 186-196.
    11. Cornel Likale Ndombi & Dorothy Ndunge Kyalo & Angeline Sabina Mulwa, 2020. "Influence of support service linkage strategies on sustainability of donor funded livelihood projects in Kilifi County, Kenya," International Journal of Research in Business and Social Science (2147-4478), Center for the Strategic Studies in Business and Finance, vol. 9(4), pages 404-418, July.
    12. Siebenhüner, Bernd, 2018. "Conflicts in Transdisciplinary Research: Reviewing Literature and Analysing a Case of Climate Adaptation in Northwestern Germany," Ecological Economics, Elsevier, vol. 154(C), pages 117-127.
    13. Anna Gabor & Florian Reinwald & Doris Damyanovic, 2023. "Methodological Framework for Fostering the Implementation of Climate-Responsive Public Spaces and Streetscapes to Support Multifunctional Design," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 15(4), pages 1-21, February.
    14. Edwards, David M. & Meagher, Laura R., 2020. "A framework to evaluate the impacts of research on policy and practice: A forestry pilot study," Forest Policy and Economics, Elsevier, vol. 114(C).
    15. Stina Hansson & Merritt Polk, 2018. "Assessing the impact of transdisciplinary research: The usefulness of relevance, credibility, and legitimacy for understanding the link between process and impact," Research Evaluation, Oxford University Press, vol. 27(2), pages 132-144.
    16. Below, Jonathan von & Nahuelhual, Laura & Eleuterio, Ana Alice & Laterra, Pedro, 2021. "Can participatory action research foster social learning in communities struggling for land tenure?," Land Use Policy, Elsevier, vol. 101(C).
    17. Alexis Habiyaremye & Leeja Korina, 2021. "Indigenous Knowledge Systems in Ecological Pest Control and Post-Harvest Rice Conservation Techniques: Sustainability Lessons from Baduy Communities," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 13(16), pages 1-16, August.

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