Knowledge Exchange for Impact: Perspectives from Relu Amy Proctor Newcastle University
2 The Rural Economy and Land Use Programme Relu promotes interdisciplinary research on the social, economic, environmental and technological challenges facing agriculture and rural areas ESRC, BBSRC, NERC, Defra, Scottish Government Ethos of doing science differently Interdisciplinary research Stakeholder engagement 2 Sustainable Food Chains Integrated Land & Water Use Adaptation to Environmental Change Animal &Plant Disease Management
A philosophy of knowledge exchange
Knowledge producers Knowledge users What is knowledge for? A philosophy of knowledge exchange
Knowledge producers Knowledge users Whose knowledge counts? A philosophy of knowledge exchange
66 1)stakeholders engaged throughout as active partners in research 2)two-way exchange between scientists and stakeholders 3)pluralistic and inclusive notion of stakeholders 4)soft knowledge exchange through informal networks between research and practice How are we promoting knowledge exchange?
Testing a community approach to catchment management How are we promoting knowledge exchange at a project level?
Understanding environmental knowledge controversies How are we promoting knowledge exchange at a project level?
Sustained approach to relationship management Distinctive approach to science communication Building soft networks for knowledge exchange How are we promoting knowledge exchange at a programme level?
10 Accounting for Knowledge Exchange Stakeholder Impact Analysis Matrix (SIAM) enables stakeholder mapping and identification of key gaps; provides analysis of how stakeholders are involved, to inform future approaches; identifies stakeholder constituencies around which to seek feedback; gives insight into scale and extent of short term impacts, on research and stakeholders; provides data for targeting and accounting for longer term impact analysis.
Certain stakeholder relationships bring mutual benefits (people exchange, advisory groups) Certain stakeholder contributions are mutually beneficial (objective setting, dissemination) Accounting for Knowledge Exchange: Stakeholder relationship and contribution
Accounting for Knowledge Exchange: Impact on stakeholder and research Researchers report positive impact of stakeholders on research quality and relevance Impacts of research on stakeholder knowledge outstrips impact on policies and practices
Feedback Visitor/ Host Advisory Group Dissemination Accounting for Knowledge Exchange
Knowledge exchange = a practical philosophy of engagement Requires researchers to rethink role as knowledge producers in relation to other sources of expertise Suggests we explore determinants of successful knowledge exchange What does this mean for future research?