Knowledge co-production and researcher roles in transdisciplinary environmental management projects

verfasst von

Joanne Vinke-de Kruijf, Laura Verbrugge, Barbara Schroeter, Robert-Jan den Haan, Juliette Cortes Arevalo, Jan Fliervoet, Jennifer Henze, Christian Albert

Abstract

Calls for transformative change and participatory modes of knowledge production demand researchers to assume new roles. This paper synthesizes the literature on knowledge co-production and researcher roles to explore challenges for researchers involved in transdisciplinary environmental management projects. Our research methods combine a scoping review and reflections on personal experiences with three transdisciplinary projects. To conceptualize researcher roles in transdisciplinary knowledge co-production, we distinguish between three spaces: knowledge, formal policy, and stakeholder. Knowledge co-production requires collaboration between actors from different spaces and integration of diverse knowledge sources and types. Depending on whether researchers adopt knowledge-oriented, change-oriented or intermediating roles, they will experience different challenges. When researchers combine knowledge development with change-oriented and/or intermediating roles, they encounter new challenges, such as, maintaining independence or objectivity. To assist researchers in transdisciplinary projects, we conclude with a checklist of four elements to reflect upon: orientation, norms and values, expectations and resources.

Organisationseinheit(en)

Institut für Umweltplanung

Externe Organisation(en)

Ruhr-Universität Bochum
University of Twente
Aalto University
Leibniz-Zentrum für Agrarlandschaftsforschung (ZALF) e.V.
Lund University
UNESCO-IHE Institute for Water Education (IHE)
Hogeschool Van Hall Larenstein (VHL)

Typ

Artikel

Journal

Sustainable development

Band

30

Seiten

393-405

Anzahl der Seiten

13

ISSN

0968-0802

Publikationsdatum

14.04.2022

Publikationsstatus

Veröffentlicht

Peer-reviewed

Ja

ASJC Scopus Sachgebiete

Entwicklung, Erneuerbare Energien, Nachhaltigkeit und Umwelt

Ziele für nachhaltige Entwicklung

SDG 7 – Erschwingliche und saubere Energie

Elektronische Version(en)

https://doi.org/10.1002/sd.2281 (Zugang: Offen)