the dutch knowledge landscape presentation

The Dutch knowledge landscape

An introduction

Sarah Cummings

Problem definition (1)

The domains of policy, research and practice work in isolation focusing on their own domain-related interests

- Researchers want publications in top rated journals, and the interventionism of their approach is not acknowledged

- Practitioners are to much in ‘do’ mode and have little theoretical underpinning

- Policymakers are focused on political imperatives and deadlines, often ‘cherry-picking’ to support predetermined decisions

Problem definition (2)

Learning across the knowledge system takes place only on an ad hoc basis

- Most approaches to learning and knowledge have an organisational focus

- Efforts to systematise sectoral learning (water, agriculture) are in their infancy

- Very little emphasis on the knowledge system

Problem definition (3)

Southern voices have difficulty getting a hearing

- Authors in key journals are predominantly from the North

- Imbalance in power relationships

Why should domains cooperate? (1)

• Efficiency, effectiveness argument

• Duplication, reinventing the wheel

• Conception of the Triple Helix with innovation at the intersections(Loet Leydesdorff and colleagues)

Why should domains cooperate? (2)

• Development as a wicked problem or a group of interlinked wicked problems

• Wicked problems are without any solution but nevertheless urgently require and answer

• Resolved with knowledge of different sorts and not solved(Brown, Engel)

• Require a unified response

Knowledge landscape

Policy

PracticeResearch

IS-Academie

ECDPM

Hivos’knowledge programme

Knowledge architecture

• Working styles are different

• Knowledge architecture different: journals and publications

• Meeting places are limited

• How to bring about cross-fertilisation?

Ivory towers…

DefinitionA place or attitude of retreat, especially preoccupation with

lofty, remote, or intellectual considerations rather than practical everyday life. Free Online dictionary

A pre-occupation and isolation in domain-related considerations in the knowledge landscape

Next…

• Policy (Wenny)

• Practice (Josine)

• Research (your reflections….)