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Stakeholder Engagement in Relu  

Jeremy Phillipson

Assistant Director, Relu Programme

A Philosophy of Knowledge Exchange

A Philosophy of Knowledge Exchange

A Philosophy of Knowledge Exchange

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• Linear model of knowledge transfer

• Feedback model of knowledge transfer

• Collaborative model of knowledge transfer

• Joint-production of knowledge

Knowledge producers

Knowledge users

A Philosophy of Knowledge Exchange

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• stakeholders engaged throughout as active partners in research

• two-way exchange between scientists and stakeholders

• pluralistic and inclusive notion of stakeholders

• soft knowledge exchange through informal networks between research and practice

A Philosophy of Knowledge Exchange

Testing a community approach to catchment management

How are we promoting knowledge exchange?

• Sustained approach to strategic influencing• Creation of core communities of interest around project waves• Recommendation of researchers to expert advisory roles

• Distinctive approach to science communication• Targeting links with strategic knowledge brokers• CPD workshops and internal briefings for stakeholders• Writing for specialist and technical press• Project policy and practice notes and cross-cutting policy briefs• Viral marketing techniques

• Building soft networks for knowledge exchange• National stakeholder forums • Work shadowing and visiting fellowship schemes

How are we promoting knowledge exchange?

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The Benefits of People Exchange

Researchers:

• Dissemination and expert feedback• Understanding requirements of users

and context for research application• Privileged access to policy / commercial

practices, data and sites• Refinements to research design / focus• New research questions and funding• Scoping of career options• Network building for further

dissemination and collaboration

Stakeholders:

• Opportunity to inform focus of research

• Keeping in touch with latest research

• Bringing an outside perspective on policies and practices

• Quality control of analytical and technical capacities

• Strategy development• Identifying future research needs

How are we promoting knowledge exchange?

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Accounting for Knowledge Exchange

Researchers report positive impact of stakeholders on research quality and relevance

Impacts of research on stakeholder knowledge outstrips impact on policies and practices

Most stakeholders involved as research subjects or event participants

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Accounting for Knowledge Exchange

Certain stakeholder relationships bring mutual benefits (people exchange, advisory groups)

Certain stakeholder contributions are mutually beneficial (objective setting, dissemination)

Feedback

Visitor/Host

Advisory Group

Dissemination

Accounting for Knowledge Exchange

Knowledge exchange = a practical philosophy of engagement Requires researchers to rethink role as knowledge producers in

relation to other sources of expertise Suggests we explore determinants of successful knowledge exchange

What does this mean for future research?