Transdisciplinary co-creation increases the utilization of knowledge from sustainable development research

Research output: Journal contributionsJournal articlesResearchpeer-review

Authors

  • Johanna Jacobi
  • Aymara Llanque
  • Stellah M. Mukhovi
  • Eliud Abucheli Birachi
  • Per Maximilian von Groote
  • René Eschen
  • I. Hilber-Schöb
  • D. I. Kiba
  • Emmanuel Frossard
  • Carmenza Robledo-Abad

Our study aimed at understanding the utilization of research knowledge generated in sustainable development research. Drawing on a sample of 54 recent research projects, we investigated how and by whom the knowledge was used, what changes were achieved, and how non-academic actors were involved. As a conceptual framework we combined a concept of “stages of knowledge utilization” with a spiral model that co-creates three forms of knowledge – systems knowledge, target knowledge, and transformation knowledge, and which spans from joint problem definition to concrete sustainability transformations. We analysed questionnaires from 94 academic and non-academic actors using cross-tabulation, chi-squared tests, and qualitative content analysis. The early involvement of non-academic actors from key groups such as local enterprises was positively related to the utilization of research knowledge, as was their involvement in diverse roles. However, only little of the research knowledge generated has so far resulted in changes in policy and practice, partly because sustainability transformations are larger societal processes. Utilization of research knowledge for sustainability transformations cannot be achieved without employing a transdisciplinary approach that brings together academic and non-academic actors in a setting that enables discussions on an even footing and the empowering of actors who are often not heard. In such settings, researchers are also part of the change rather than mere observers, an additional factor that came up in our participatory results validation activities and that requires further research. For more influence on policies and practice, research for development requires active participation of non-academic actors from the outset, when the project contents are defined.

Original languageEnglish
JournalEnvironmental Science and Policy
Volume129
Pages (from-to)107-115
Number of pages9
ISSN1462-9011
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - 01.03.2022

Bibliographical note

This study was funded by the Swiss Program for Research on Global Issues for Development (r4d program) within the synthesis project on “Utilization of research knowledge for sustainability transformations”. The authors thank all participating respondents. We also thank Claudia Rutte and two anonymous reviewers for their thoughtful comments, and Tina Hirschbuehl for language editing.

Much progress has been made in conceptualizing transdisciplinarity (TD), providing TD theories and concepts for sustainability transformation and contribution to the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). However, the lack of larger data sets undermines empirical verification. This study therefore set out to investigate the experiences of 54 research for development projects from the 10-year Swiss Program for Research on Global Issues for Development (r4d program). The r4d program included five thematic modules (ecosystems, food security, social conflict, employment, public health) and one thematically open module. The projects shared strategic, scientific, and development objectives as set by the funding agencies, the Swiss Agency for Development and Cooperation and the Swiss National Science Foundation. Projects were asked to use a transdisciplinary approach, which was, however, not further defined. Our overall aim was to analyse the research activities and processes leading to the widespread utilization of co-created knowledge by a broad range of actors. Our guiding hypothesis was that there is a positive relationship between the utilization of research knowledge (and associated changes in science, policy, and practice) and a transdisciplinary project process. Specifically, we aimed to answer the following research questions:

    Research areas

  • Co-creation, Knowledge utilization, Sustainability, Transdisciplinarity, Transformation
  • Transdisciplinary studies

Documents

DOI

Recently viewed

Publications

  1. Passive Rotation of Rotational Joints and Its Computation Method
  2. Representation of Integration Profiles Using an Ontology
  3. Phosphorus uptake from struvite is modulated by the nitrogen form applied
  4. Playing in the Spaces: Anarchism in the Classroom
  5. A comparison of the strength of biodiversity effects across multiple functions
  6. New developments in extrusion of profiles with variable curvatures and cross-sections
  7. A Kalman estimator for detecting repetitive disturbances
  8. Evaluation of a Four-Week Online Resilience Training Program for Multiple Sclerosis Patients
  9. Analysis of life cycle datasets for the material gold
  10. Combination of a reduced order state observer and an Extended Kalman Filter for Peltier cells
  11. Testing for a break in the persistence in yield spreads of EMU government bonds
  12. Warming-up effects of static stretching on power and strength
  13. Erroneous Examples: A Preliminary Investigation into Learning Benefits
  14. Knowledge Generation and Sustainable Development
  15. B7-H1 restricts neuroantigen-specific T cell responses and confines inflammatory CNS damage: implications for the lesion pathogenesis of multiple sclerosis.
  16. Rethinking the Spatiality of Spatial Planning
  17. Sensorimotor Control and Proprioception in Neurorehabilitation
  18. Estimation of minimal data sets sizes for machine learning predictions in digital mental health interventions
  19. The Exilic Classroom
  20. Applying Necessity and Proportionality to Anti-Terrorist Self-Defence
  21. Inquiry-based Learning Environments to Welcome the Diversity of a Chemistry Class