Knowledge in Action: The search for collaborative research for sustainable landscape development (Mansholt Publication Series Book 11)

Wageningen Univerisity and Research Centre is known for its practical and societally relevant research in spatial development. Stakeholders currently put much emphasis on participatory processes in landscape planning procedures. This poses a special challenge for research. What role does research play in our present world characterised by complexity, competing claims and development needs, and an increased concern for climate change and environmental impact? In the book 'Knowledge in Action' we explore different types of transdisciplinary research that scientists engage in. Depending on the societal context and the interests of local citizens, researchers apply different research approaches to optimally incorporate the various points of view in their research and promote processes enhancing dialogue and shared results. In the book authors present their research experiences: their theoretical inspiration, the research methodology applied to consult, share and collaborate with societal actors in order to create options for change. The book includes several striking examples from The Netherlands (both successful and less effective), and also innovative examples from communities in Africa and Asia. The authors reflect on opportunities, problems and dilemma's they had to deal with. They especially address how far the role and theoretical perspectives of collaborative researchers can lead them in action research. Can they limit themselves to joint knowledge production and learning processes or should they engage in strategic positioning, advocacy and entrepreneurship to make it happen? The book discusses the issues that researchers should consider when they position their research activities within ongoing developments at landscape level. Read the book and judge for yourself. Preface / Jolanda Van Den Berg And Eveliene Steingröver -- Landscape Science And Societal Action / Annemarie Van Paassen ... [et Al.] -- What Is Collaborative Landscape Research About? / Renate Werkman ... [et Al.] -- Collaborative Research To Improve The Water Management In Two Polders In The Red River Delta In Vietnam / Henk Ritzema, Le Quang Anh And Bui Thi Kim -- Development And Application Of A Landscape Design Method In The Frisian Lakes Area / Willemien Geertsema, Arianne De Blaeij And Martijn Van Der Heide -- Linking Training, Research And Policy Advice : Capacity Building For Adaptation To Climate Change In East Africa / Catharien Terwisscha Van Scheltinga And Jouwert Van Geene -- Action Research In A Regional Development Setting : Students As Boundary Workers In A Learning Multi-actor Network / Jifke Sol ... [et Al.] -- The Soil-plant-animal System As A Boundary Object For Collaborative Knowledge Development / Marian Stuiver -- Learning From Learning : The Experiences With Implementing Adaptive Collaborative Forest Management In Zimbabwe / Tendayi Mutimukuru-maravanyika And Conny Almekinders / Northern Thailand Case : Gaming And Simulation For Co-learning And Collective Action : Companion Modelling For Collaborative Landscape Management Between Herders And Foresters / Pongchai Dumrongrojwatthana And Guy Trébuil -- Reflexivity In Action Research : Two Spatial Planning Cases / Marcel Pleijte, Marc Schut And Roel During -- Limpopo Case : The Role Of Research In Conflict Over Natural Resources : Informing Resettlement Negotiations In Limpopo National Park, Mozambique / Jessica Milgroom, Cees Leeuwis And Janice Jiggins -- Conclusion : From Knowledge For Action To Knowledge In Action / Annemarie Van Paassen ... [et Al.]. Edited By Annemarie Van Paassen ... [et Al.]. This Book Is An Important, Tangible Outcome Of The Research Theme 'knowledge Use And Knowledge Co-production' Which Started In 2006 And Is Part Of The Strategic Research Programme 'sustainable Spatial Development Of Ecosystems, Landscapes, Seas And Regions' Run By Wageningen Ur--pref. Includes Bibliographical References And Index. "Wageningen University and Research Centre is known for its practical and societally relevant research in spatial development. Stakeholders currently put much emphasis on participatory processes in landscape planning procedures. This poses a special challenge for research. What role does research play in our present world characterised by complexity, competing claims and development needs, and an increased concern for climate change and environmental impact? In the book 'Knowledge in Action' we explore different types of transdisciplinary research that scientists engage in. Depending on the societal context and the interests of local citizens, researchers apply different research approaches to optimally incorporate the various points of view in their research and promote processes enhancing dialogue and shared results. In the book authors present their research experiences: their theoretical inspiration, the research methodology applied to consult, share and collaborate with societal actors in order to create options for change. The book includes several striking examples from The Netherlands (both successful and less effective), and also innovative examples from communities in Africa and Asia. The authors reflect on opportunities, problems and dilemma's they had to deal with. They especially address how far the role and theoretical perspectives of collaborative researchers can lead them in action research. Can they limit themselves to joint knowledge production and learning processes or should they engage in strategic positioning, advocacy and entrepreneurship to make it happen? The book discusses the issues that researchers should consider when they position their research activities within ongoing developments at landscape level. Read the book and judge for yourself."--Publisher's description Front Matter....Pages 1-15 Landscape science and societal action....Pages 17-40 What is collaborative landscape research about?....Pages 41-56 Collaborative research to improve the water management in two polders in the Red River Delta in Vietnam....Pages 57-84 Development and application of a landscape design method in the Frisian Lakes area....Pages 85-111 Linking training, research and policy advice: capacity building for adaptation to climate change in East Africa....Pages 113-132 Action research in a regional development setting: students as boundary workers in a learning multi-actor network....Pages 133-152 The soil-plant-animal system as a boundary object for collaborative knowledge development....Pages 153-168 Learning from learning: the experiences with implementing adaptive collaborative forest management in Zimbabwe....Pages 169-189 Northern Thailand case: gaming and simulation for co-learning and collective action; companion modelling for collaborative landscape management between herders and foresters....Pages 191-219 Reflexivity in action research: two spatial planning cases....Pages 221-245 Limpopo case: the role of research in conflict over natural resources; informing resettlement negotiations in Limpopo National Park, Mozambique....Pages 247-276 Conclusion: from knowledge for action to knowledge in action....Pages 277-303 Back Matter....Pages 305-319 Money fields such as economics and development, biological fields such as agriculture and plant physiology, social sciences such as sociology and communication, and environmental sciences such as landscape planning and geography are part of the collaborations described and demonstrated in this volume. The goal is to introduce others to a range of approaches for collaborative research regarding landscape development. Among the topics are improving water management in two polders in the Red River Delta in Vietnam, developing and applying a landscape design method in the Frisian Lakes area, implementing adaptive collaboration forest management in Zimbabwe, and two spatial planning cases illustrating reflexivity in action research. Distributed in the US by Enfield. Annotation ©2011 Book News, Inc., Portland, OR (booknews.com)