Transforming knowledge systems for life on Earth: visions of future systems and how to get there

Fazey, I., Schapke, N., Caniglia, G., Hodgson, A., Kendrick, I., Lyon, C., Page, G., Patterson, J., Reidy, C., Strasser, T., Verveen, S., Adams, D., Goldstein, B., Klaes, M., Leicester, G., Linyard, A., McCurdy, A., Ryan, P., Sharpe, B., Silvestri, G., Yansyah Abdurrahim, A., Abson, D., Samson Adetunji, O., Aldunce, P., Alvarez-Pereirax, C., Marie Amparo, J., Amundsen, H., Anderson, L., Andersson, L., Asquith, M., Augenstein, K., Barrie, J., Bent, D., Bentz, J., Bergsten, A., Berzonsky, C., Bina, O., Blackstock, K., Boehnert, J., Bradbury, H., Brand, C., Bohme, J., Mille Bojer, M., Carmen, E., Charli-Joseph, L., Choudhury, S., Chunhachoti-ananta, S., Cockburn, J., Colvin, J., Connon, I., Cornforth, R. ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0003-4379-9556, Cox, R., Cradock-Henry, N., Cramer, L., Cremaschi, A., Dannevig, H., Day, C., de Lima Hutchison, C., de Vrieze, A., Desai, V., Dolley, J., Duckett, D., Durrant, R., Egermann, M., Elsner, E., Fremantle, C., Fullwood-Thomas, J., Galafassi, D., Gobby, J., Golland, A., Kirana Gonz-lez-Padron, S., Gram-Hanssen, I., Grandin, J., Grenni, S., Gunnell, J., Gusmao, F., Hamann, M., Harding, B., Harper, G., Hesselgren, M., Hestad, D., Heykoop, C., Holm, J., Holstead, K., Hoolohan, C., Horcea-Milcu, A.-I., Geertruida Horlings, L., Howden, S., Angharad Howell, R., Insia Huque, S., Canedo, M., Yvonne Iro, C., Ives, C., John, B., Joshi, R., Juarez-Bourke, S., Wafula Juma, D., Karlsen, B. C., Kliem, L., Kloy, A., Kuenkel, P., Kunze, I., Lam, D., Lang, D., Larkin, A., Light, A., Luederitz, C., Luthe, T., Maguire, C., Mahecha-Groot, A.-M., Malcolm, J., Marshall, F., Maru, Y., McLachlan, C., Mmbando, P., Mohapatra, S., Moore, M.-L., Moriggi, A., Morley-Fletcher, M., Moser, S., Mueller, K. M., Mukute, M., Mühlemeier, S., Otto Naess, L., Nieto-Romero, M., Novo, P., O'Brien, K., O'Connell, D., O'Donnell, K., Olsson, P., Pearson, K. R., Pereira, L., Petridis, P., Peukert, D., Phear, N., Ren.e Pisters, S., Polsky, M., Pound, D., Preiser, R., Rahman, M. S., Reed, M., Revell, P., Rodriguez, I., Rogers, B. C., Rohr, J., Rosenberg, M. N., Ross, H., Russell, S., Ryan, M., Saha, P., Schleicher, K., Schneider, F., Scoville-Simonds, M., Searle, B., Sebhatu, S. P., Sesana, E., Silverman, H., Singh, C., Sterling, E., Stewart, S.-J., Tabara, D., Taylor, D., Thornton, P., Tribaldos, T. M., Tschakert, P., Uribe-Calvo, N., Waddell, S., Waddock, S., van der Merwe, L., van Mierlo, B., van Zwanenberg, P., Velarde, S. J., Washbourn, C.-L., Waylen, K., Weiser, A., Wight, I., Williams, S., Woods, M., Wolstenholme, R., Wright, N., Wunder, S., Wyllie, A. and Young, H. R. (2020) Transforming knowledge systems for life on Earth: visions of future systems and how to get there. Energy Research and Social Science, 70. 101724. ISSN 2214-6296 doi: 10.1016/j.erss.2020.101724

Abstract/Summary

Formalised knowledge systems, including universities and research institutes, are important for contemporary societies. They are, however, also arguably failing humanity when their impact is measured against the level of progress being made in stimulating the societal changes needed to address challenges like climate change. In this research we used a novel futures-oriented and participatory approach that asked what future envisioned knowledge systems might need to look like and how we might get there. Findings suggest that envisioned future systems will need to be much more collaborative, open, diverse, egalitarian, and able to work with values and systemic issues. They will also need to go beyond producing knowledge about our world to generating wisdom about how to act within it. To get to envisioned systems we will need to rapidly scale methodological innovations, connect innovators, and creatively accelerate learning about working with intractable challenges. We will also need to create new funding schemes, a global knowledge commons, and challenge deeply held assumptions. To genuinely be a creative force in supporting longevity of human and non-human life on our planet, the shift in knowledge systems will probably need to be at the scale of the enlightenment and speed of the scientific and technological revolution accompanying the second World War. This will require bold and strategic action from governments, scientists, civic society and sustained transformational intent.

Item Type	Article
URI	https://reading-clone.eprints-hosting.org/id/eprint/93752
Item Type	Article
Refereed	Yes
Divisions	Interdisciplinary Research Centres (IDRCs) > Walker Institute
Uncontrolled Keywords	Sustainability science Epistemology Transformation Social-technical transitions Knowledge Climate and energy research
Publisher	Elsevier
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