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

Fazey, Ioan ; Galafassi, Diego LU and Young, Hannah R. (2020) In Energy Research and Social Science 70.
Abstract
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... (More)
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. © 2020 The Author(s) (Less)
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author
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author collaboration
organization
publishing date
type
Contribution to journal
publication status
published
subject
keywords
Climate and energy research, Epistemology, Knowledge, Social-technical transitions, Sustainability science, Transformation
in
Energy Research and Social Science
volume
70
article number
101724
publisher
Elsevier
external identifiers
  • scopus:85091647577
ISSN
2214-6326
DOI
10.1016/j.erss.2020.101724
language
English
LU publication?
yes
id
e1b4d5cf-f37c-469d-9324-72a0aa9e72f3
date added to LUP
2020-11-23 12:47:06
date last changed
2022-04-26 21:59:56
@article{e1b4d5cf-f37c-469d-9324-72a0aa9e72f3,
  abstract     = {{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. © 2020 The Author(s)}},
  author       = {{Fazey, Ioan and Galafassi, Diego and Young, Hannah R.}},
  issn         = {{2214-6326}},
  keywords     = {{Climate and energy research; Epistemology; Knowledge; Social-technical transitions; Sustainability science; Transformation}},
  language     = {{eng}},
  publisher    = {{Elsevier}},
  series       = {{Energy Research and Social Science}},
  title        = {{Transforming knowledge systems for life on Earth: Visions of future systems and how to get there}},
  url          = {{http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.erss.2020.101724}},
  doi          = {{10.1016/j.erss.2020.101724}},
  volume       = {{70}},
  year         = {{2020}},
}