Co-Production of Knowledge Initiative

The Co-Production of Knowledge Initiative grew out of the conviction that there is a fundamental need for climate-related research to be conducted in partnership with and under guidance from the communities most affected by climate change. While researchers often cite benefits to local communities in their grant proposals, the communities are seldom involved in the design of the project and their participation is often in the form of data gathering. Even those researchers with the best intentions often bring in community members after the research plan is already in place. Forming more appropriate and individualized community-based solutions established by new research efforts requires the use of co-production frameworks. 

What is Co-Production of Knowledge?

Knowledge co-production requires deep collaboration and the establishment of trusted relationships between those with the scientific, social, and/or policy expertise, and community members who have “lived experience” within their natural, social, and cultural environments. To produce equitable knowledge-based solutions, it is critical that communities are able to express their member’s priorities, and share known understandings of the environmental intricacies and challenges they face. In this way, co-production replaces exclusionary or extractive relationships and seeks to redistribute power and resources in university-community research dynamics that have historically been unequal.

The Co-Production of Knowledge Initiative in Action

Co-production at the Center is fostered by community building both within and outside the university, through grant-giving (please see grant overview page), residency programing, and monthly Co-Production of Knowledge Initiative meetings (sign up to join below). The Center also helped to publish an openly accessible Good Practices in the Co-Production of Knowledge guidance document in fall 2024, which was developed during a co-produced workshop attended by researchers, Indigenous leaders, government representatives, and other experts in March of that year.

University affiliates of the Center’s Co-Production Initiative come from the humanities, social and natural sciences, and include graduate students, postdoctoral scholars, research scientists, and faculty who have expertise, experience in and/or curiosity about co-produced research, programming, and curriculum collaborations. Scholars come from a variety of disciplines, including history, anthropology, political science, climate science, physics, religious studies, and others. Currently, the Center also is making efforts to form deeper partnerships with community-based organizations locally and globally. 

Funded initially by the Columbia Climate School’s Earth Networks and the Moore Foundation, the Initiative has since received additional support from the Luce Foundation and the Mellon Foundation to broaden its focus areas beyond climate and environment. The Center for Science and Society believes expanding co-production of research and knowledge-making across Columbia University can more effectively work toward our goals of inclusion and equity in research development.

Initiative Goals

  • Build an interdisciplinary community of Columbia faculty, students, and staff and community members or groups doing community-driven outreach, advocacy, research, and curriculum development. 
  • Foster co-production research, curriculum development, and other projects through grant funding programs open to Columbia University affiliates, university partners, and community groups.
  • Develop and share a set of guidelines for good practices of co-production of knowledge
  • Host interactive knowledge- and community-building seminars and support residencies for Indigenous knowledge holders. 

 

Columbia University students, faculty, staff, and other affiliates are invited to join the Co-Production Initiative. Monthly meetings are held throughout the academic year.