Co-Producing Sustainability: Reordering the Governance of Science, Policy, and Practice

Posted: 23 Oct 2019

See all articles by Carina Wyborn

Carina Wyborn

Luc Hoffman Institute

Amber Datta

University of Montana

Jasper Montana

University of Cambridge - Department of Geography

Melanie Ryan

IUCN Conservation Centre

Peat Leith

University of Tasmania

Brian Chaffin

University of Montana

Clark Miller

Arizona State University (ASU)

Lorrae van Kerkhoff

Australian National University (ANU)

Date Written: October 2019

Abstract

Co-production has become a cornerstone of research within the sustainability sciences, motivating collaborations of diverse actors to conduct research in the service of societal and policy change. This review examines theoretical and empirical literature from sustainability science, public administration, and science and technology studies (STS) with the intention of advancing the theory and practice of co-production within sustainability science. We argue that co-production must go beyond stakeholder engagement by scientists to the more deliberate design of societal transitions. Co-production can contribute to such transitions by shifting the institutional arrangements that govern relationships between knowledge and power, science and society, and state and citizens. We highlight critical weaknesses in conceptualizations of co-production within sustainability sciences with respect to power, politics, and governance. We offer suggestions for how this can be rectified through deeper engagement with public administration and STS to offer a broad vision for enhancing the use, design, and practice of a more reflexive co-production in sustainability science.

Suggested Citation

Wyborn, Carina and Datta, Amber and Montana, Jasper and Ryan, Melanie and Leith, Peat and Chaffin, Brian and Miller, Clark and van Kerkhoff, Lorrae, Co-Producing Sustainability: Reordering the Governance of Science, Policy, and Practice (October 2019). Annual Review of Environment and Resources, Vol. 44, pp. 319-346, 2019, Available at SSRN: https://ssrn.com/abstract=3472223 or http://dx.doi.org/10.1146/annurev-environ-101718-033103

Carina Wyborn (Contact Author)

Luc Hoffman Institute ( email )

Stockholm
Sweden

Amber Datta

University of Montana ( email )

Missoula, MT 59812
United States

Jasper Montana

University of Cambridge - Department of Geography ( email )

Cambridge
United Kingdom

Melanie Ryan

IUCN Conservation Centre

Gland, 1196
Switzerland

Peat Leith

University of Tasmania

French Street
Sandy Bay
Tasmania, 7250
Australia

Brian Chaffin

University of Montana ( email )

32 Campus Drive
Missoula, MT 598012
United States
4062436575 (Phone)

HOME PAGE: http://www.cfc.umt.edu/personnel/details.php?ID=4123

Clark Miller

Arizona State University (ASU) ( email )

Farmer Building 440G PO Box 872011
Tempe, AZ 85287
United States

Lorrae Van Kerkhoff

Australian National University (ANU)

Canberra, Australian Capital Territory 2601
Australia

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