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Knowledge Matters: The Potential Contribution of the Coproduction of Research

Author

Listed:
  • Diana Mitlin

    (University of Manchester, Manchester and the International Institute for Environment and Development)

  • Jhono Bennett

    (1to1/University of Johannesburg)

  • Philipp Horn

    (University of Sheffield)

  • Sophie King

    (University of Sheffield)

  • Jack Makau

    (SDI Kenya)

  • George Masimba Nyama

    (Dialogue on Shelter)

Abstract

The purpose of this paper is to share our experiences—as academics and professionals—in coproducing knowledge to improve urban development outcomes in the global South. The focus of the paper is on urban research and practice, a field in which academic work influences policy and programming, and professional knowledge (validated and certified by academic institutions) forms the basis for urban planning and management. Collaborative research coproduced with social movement activities highlights that four issues need to be addressed to establish more equitable relations. First, alternative theories of change about how research leads to social transformation must be recognised, even if they cannot be reconciled. Second, the contribution of social movement leaders to university teaching needs to be institutionalised. Third, the relative status of academics vis-à-vis non-academics must be interrogated and better understood. Fourth, the accountabilities of the researchers to the marginalised need to be established. We argue that academics are insufficiently self-critical about the power dynamics involved in knowledge production with social movements. And that long-term relations enable understandings to be built and some of these tensions to be alleviated. Our conclusion highlights the unequal power relations that under-pin these challenges and suggests some steps to address these inequalities and their negative consequences.

Suggested Citation

  • Diana Mitlin & Jhono Bennett & Philipp Horn & Sophie King & Jack Makau & George Masimba Nyama, 2020. "Knowledge Matters: The Potential Contribution of the Coproduction of Research," The European Journal of Development Research, Palgrave Macmillan;European Association of Development Research and Training Institutes (EADI), vol. 32(3), pages 544-559, July.
  • Handle: RePEc:pal:eurjdr:v:32:y:2020:i:3:d:10.1057_s41287-020-00277-w
    DOI: 10.1057/s41287-020-00277-w
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Sundar Burra & Diana Mitlin & Gayatri Menon & Indu Agarwal & Preeti Banarse & Sharmila Gimonkar & Maria Lobo & Sheela Patel & Vinodkumar Rao & Monali Waghmare, 2018. "Understanding the contribution of the BSUP (JNNURM) to inclusive cities in India," Global Development Institute Working Paper Series esid-097-18, GDI, The University of Manchester.
    2. Songsore, Jacob & McGranahan, Gordon, 1998. "The Political Economy of Household Environmental Management: Gender, Environment and Epidemiology in the Greater Accra Metropolitan Area," World Development, Elsevier, vol. 26(3), pages 395-412, March.
    3. Danny Burns & Blane Harvey & Alfredo Ortiz Aragón, 2012. "Introduction: Action Research for Development and Social Change," IDS Bulletin, Blackwell Publishing, vol. 43(3), pages 1-7, May.
    4. David Madden, 2015. "There is a politics of urban knowledge because urban knowledge is political: A rejoinder to 'Debating urban studies in 23 steps'," City, Taylor & Francis Journals, vol. 19(2-3), pages 297-302, June.
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    Cited by:

    1. Bianca Vienni-Baptista & María Goñi Mazzitelli & María Haydeé García Bravo & Inta Rivas Fauré & Daniel Felipe Marín-Vanegas & Cecilia Hidalgo, 2022. "Situated expertise in integration and implementation processes in Latin America," Palgrave Communications, Palgrave Macmillan, vol. 9(1), pages 1-14, December.
    2. Marion Borderon & Kelsea B. Best & Karen Bailey & Doug L. Hopping & Mackenzie Dove & Chelsea L. Cervantes de Blois, 2021. "The risks of invisibilization of populations and places in environment-migration research," Palgrave Communications, Palgrave Macmillan, vol. 8(1), pages 1-11, December.
    3. Sarah C. White, 2020. "A Space for Unlearning? A Relational Perspective on North–South Development Research," The European Journal of Development Research, Palgrave Macmillan;European Association of Development Research and Training Institutes (EADI), vol. 32(3), pages 483-502, July.
    4. Sarah C. White, 0. "A Space for Unlearning? A Relational Perspective on North–South Development Research," The European Journal of Development Research, Palgrave Macmillan;European Association of Development Research and Training Institutes (EADI), vol. 0, pages 1-20.

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