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Reflections from the practice and theory of coproduction of knowledge

Presentation Date
Wednesday, December 14, 2022 at 11:04am - Wednesday, December 14, 2022 at 11:05am
Location
McCormick Place - N427A-D
Authors

Author

Abstract

Institutions across the world are increasingly engaging in collaborative modes of knowledge production, such as transdisciplinary science, community-led science, participatory research or co-production. There is compelling evidence that such collaborative processes that bring together various knowledge holders, decision-makers, and other stakeholders have been successful in catalyzing beneficial societal outcomes. However, there is limited understanding of what exactly such processes entail in practice, what specific elements of these processes drive desired outcomes, and how these processes are maneuvered to account for the diversity of interests, worldviews, and power dynamics amongst different participating actors and agencies. Using my first-hand experience of designing and facilitating large co-production projects, I present some reflections on how coproduction across different epistemological communities unfolds, and what mechanisms enable or inhibit effective coproduction of knowledge. I then connect these practical reflections to theoretical claims from relevant literature, to present a research agenda for advancing and accelerating co-production of actionable knowledge in an equitable, inclusive, and effective manner.

Funding Program Area(s)