Co-production of environmental knowledge and governance

Research conducted within this topic is based on the underlying idea that ‘wicked’ problems cannot be solved by technical expertise alone, but require  

• A) interdisciplinary, preferably even transdisciplinary engagement and knowledge production
• B) successful integration of scientific knowledge with indigenous and local knowledges
• C) knowing with nature, which has methodological implications on how we approach knowledge production and processing. 

Co-production of knowledge and governance refers both to an exploratory Co-production of knowledge and governance refers both to an exploratory space, and a generative process that brings together different actors and forms of knowledge, facilitating negotiation and dialogue among all stakeholders. We develop ways in which transdisciplinary research can be designed and implemented within the profiling areas at both universities (methodological implication) in a way that takes the engagement with both stakeholders and nature seriously. This works for the benefit of more effective environmental governance, contributing to acceptability and accountability of various governance solutions.

Examples of research projects:

• Living with the Baltic Sea in a changing climate: Environmental heritage and the circulation of knowledge (SeaHer)
• Matching forerunner cities (MaFoCi): Coping with climate change in Turku, Malmö, Rostock, and Groningen”
• Ilmastonmuutosta koskeva tieto ja Itämeri

Contacts: Otto Latva (otto.latva@utu.fi) and Nina Tynkkynen (nina.tynkkynen@abo.fi)