Evidence & Policy: A Journal of Research, Debate and Practice
Volume 12, Number 3, August 2016, pp. 405-430(26)
Concepts and practices for the democratisation of knowledge generation in research partnerships for sustainable development
Ott, Cordula1; Kiteme, Boniface2
Abstract:
In response to the development and climate crisis of the Anthropocene, world leaders at the 2015 UN Sustainable Development Summit in New York have reconfirmed the urgency of a sustainability transformation. This paper shows how a strong conceptualisation of sustainability can guide scientists in contributing to this transformation. The Eastern and Southern Africa Partnership Programme (1999–2015) offers experiences in framing and implementing research as a transdisciplinary future-forming process. Its procedural, reflexive programme design proved adequate to support the democratisation of knowledge generation. This fostered evidence-based contextualised knowledge and corresponding institutions, and strengthened the future-forming capacity of all partners involved.