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….)