Co-production of knowledge
The critical need to increase the usability of science for management and decision-making has led to the call for and the emergence of new science-policy models. Interest in a co-production approach to knowledge production has sharply increased in climate sciences, climate change adaptation and broadly in environmental management and governance. This appeal is underscored by the fact that co-production of knowledge promises to increase the relevance and usability of science for society while breaking the unidirectional and linear traditional collaboration and participation structures.
Lost in the shadows: reflections on the dark side of co-production
This 2020 article by Oli Williams and colleagues is a response to Oliver et al.’s Commentary ‘The dark side of coproduction: do the costs outweigh the benefits for health research? The authors reflect on the dark side of co-production, critiquing recent debate for the way it (1) defines co-production (2) prioritises research traditions (3) presents bad *practice* without due consideration of *context*. They remind us to identify and critique structural factors that inhibit and/or corrupt co-production processes we can highlight where change is necessary to promote more and better co-production.
The dark side of coproduction: do the costs outweigh the benefits for health research?
In this 2019 paper, Kathryn Oliver, Anita Kothari & Nicholas Mays summarise the arguments in favour of coproduction, the different approaches to establishing coproductive work and their costs, and offer some advice as to when and how to consider coproduction.
Making room and moving over: knowledge co-production, Indigenous knowledge sovereignty and the politics of global environmental change decision-making
This paper by Nicole Latulippe and Nicole Klenk brings literatures on knowledge co-production together with Indigenous knowledge, research, and environmental governance to explain why co-production scholars must move away from seeking to better ‘integrate’ Indigenous knowledges into western science and make way for Indigenous research leadership.
Co-production in global sustainability: Histories and theories
In this 2019 paper Clark Miller and Carina Wyborn identify several disciplinary convergences that allow us to synthesize a strong conceptual foundation for those seeking to design and implement co-production work in programs of global sustainability research and policy. Co-production practices produce both knowledge and sustainability outcomes, co-production practices should recognize and value both process and outcomes.
The art of co-production of knowledge in environmental sciences and management: lessons from international practice
This 2018 review paper by Ida Nadia Djenontin and Alison Meadow addresses the challenging question of “how to” design and implement co-production of knowledge in climate science and other environmental and agricultural sciences. The paper offers a set of common themes regarding specific components and processes for the design, implementation, and achievement of co-production of knowledge work, which represent the “Modus Operandi” of knowledge co-production. By exploring the specific practices involved in knowledge co-production, this paper provides guidance to researchers on how to navigate different possibilities of the process of conducting transdisciplinary and co-production of knowledge research projects that best fit their research context, stakeholder needs, and research team capacities.
