Towards successful joint knowledge production for global change and sustainability: lessons from six Dutch adaptation projects (e-chapter)

Abstract

In several Western European countries, scientists, policymakers and other actors collaborate in regional climate change adaptation projects. Such joint knowledge production is often assumed to lead to reconciliation of supply and demand for knowledge. Many conceptual analyses of joint knowledge production have been performed, yet systematic empirical assessments of the phenomenon are lacking. This chapter aims to address this gap by providing a retrospective analysis of six Dutch regional climate change adaptation projects, which were all part of two large programs, 'Climate Changes Spatial Planning' and 'Living with Water'. The analysis is based on desk research and 27 semi-structured interviews with researchers, policymakers and project funders. The chapter first explores how the success of joint knowledge production can be analyzed and, second, how differences in success can be explained. Based on the analysis, two variables are proposed clarifying the context in which a project takes place: (1) epistemological distance between participating actors; and (2) normative consensus. The chapter denominates some initial design principles for joint knowledge production. It is concluded that science-policy cooperation in regions seems to provide opportunities for transformative cross-boundary learning.