Problematising Co-production
Lead Research Organisation:
De Montfort University
Department Name: Politics and Public Policy
Abstract
Co-production has emerged as a potential solution to a criticism that research conducted in communities often fails to meaningfully include communities in its design and undertaking. Co-production is now also perceived as a solution to an argued 'relevance gap' in research and to the demands of 'impact'. Co-production in research aims to put principles of empowerment into practice, working 'with' communities and offering communities greater control over the research process and providing opportunities to learn and reflect from their experience. Advocates for co-production argue that research is enhanced through including 'experiential expertise' (Collins and Evans 2007) which may highlight relevant questions otherwise neglected by 'experts' (Fischer 2000). Co-production can enhance the effectiveness of research by making it better informed by communities' preferences and needs, with communities then contributing to improved outcomes and achievable solutions (Ostrom 1996). This review takes a cross-cutting perspective, aiming to advance the theory and practice of co-production in research with communities.
Organisations
People |
ORCID iD |
| Catherine Durose (Principal Investigator) |
Publications
Durose, C.
(2012)
Towards Co-Production of Research with Communities
Durose, C.
(2012)
Illuminating the Evolution of Community Participation
Beebeejaun Y
(2013)
'Beyond text': exploring ethos and method in co-producing research with communities
in Community Development Journal
Richardson L
(2013)
Putting the Research Boot on the Policymakers' Foot: Can Participatory Approaches Change the Relationship between Policymakers and Evaluation?
in Social Policy & Administration
| Description | Research conducted in or about communities is often criticised for failing to include communities in its design and undertaking. At the same time, academic research is increasingly being measured according to its benefit to society. Co-production of research is often identified as a means of addressing these concerns. Co-production involved working with communities, recognising the value of their expertise and experiences and offering them greater control over the research process. This scoping study explored what doing research in co-production would mean in practice. We explored both the principles and values which may underpin co-production with communities and some of the practical approaches and methods which may be used. |
| Exploitation Route | Our findings may be used to: - Innovate or challenge existing research practice - Support experimentation in research methods and approaches - Inform new ways of working with and engaging citizens and communities |
| Sectors | Communities and Social Services/Policy,Creative Economy,Government, Democracy and Justice,Culture, Heritage, Museums and Collections |
| URL | http://www.ahrc.ac.uk/Funding-Opportunities/Research-funding/Connected-Communities/Scoping-studies-and-reviews/Documents/Towards%20Co-Production%20in%20Research%20with%20Communities.pdf |
| Description | The findings of the research have been used in a variety of ways and by different groups. In academic terms, the findings have contributed to an inter-disciplinary debate on the purpose of research and research practice (yielding 62 citations by March 2018). Beyond academia, the findings have been used to inform engagement with communities about the potentially opportunities and benefits of engaging in research. Further, to shape understanding within government and other public bodies on the scope and practice of co-production in the delivery of public services. |
| First Year Of Impact | 2011 |
| Sector | Communities and Social Services/Policy,Creative Economy,Government, Democracy and Justice |
| Impact Types | Societal,Policy & public services |
| Description | Evaluation of asset-based skills in the Leeds gypsy traveller community |
| Amount | £26,000 (GBP) |
| Organisation | Lankelly Chase Foundation |
| Sector | Charity/Non Profit |
| Country | United Kingdom |
| Start | 09/2014 |
| End | 07/2017 |
| Description | Transforming Local Public Services through Co-Production |
| Organisation | Arts & Humanities Research Council (AHRC) |
| Country | United Kingdom |
| Sector | Public |
| PI Contribution | Intellectual leadership, delivery of project outputs |
| Collaborator Contribution | Setting parameters of project; generating audience and impact |
| Impact | The collaboration involved a research team from the University of Birmingham, from public administration, social policy and history. The project resulted in a briefing for government and follow-on funding from AHRC and ESRC. Academic outputs are in development. |
| Start Year | 2012 |
| Description | Transforming Local Public Services through Co-Production |
| Organisation | Government of the UK |
| Department | Department for Communities & Local Government (DCLG) |
| Country | United Kingdom |
| Sector | Public |
| PI Contribution | Intellectual leadership, delivery of project outputs |
| Collaborator Contribution | Setting parameters of project; generating audience and impact |
| Impact | The collaboration involved a research team from the University of Birmingham, from public administration, social policy and history. The project resulted in a briefing for government and follow-on funding from AHRC and ESRC. Academic outputs are in development. |
| Start Year | 2012 |
| Description | Translating across Borders: exploring the use, relevance and impact of academic research in the policy process |
| Organisation | Government of the UK |
| Department | Department for Communities & Local Government (DCLG) |
| Country | United Kingdom |
| Sector | Public |
| PI Contribution | Intellectual contribution, literature reviewing, fieldwork (undertaking case study work, interviewing) |
| Collaborator Contribution | Intellectual contribution, literature reviewing, fieldwork (undertaking case study work, interviewing, ethnography/ participant observation, convening workshops) |
| Impact | Project is ongoing. |
| Start Year | 2013 |
| Description | Translating across Borders: exploring the use, relevance and impact of academic research in the policy process |
| Organisation | University of Sheffield |
| Country | United Kingdom |
| Sector | Academic/University |
| PI Contribution | Intellectual contribution, literature reviewing, fieldwork (undertaking case study work, interviewing) |
| Collaborator Contribution | Intellectual contribution, literature reviewing, fieldwork (undertaking case study work, interviewing, ethnography/ participant observation, convening workshops) |
| Impact | Project is ongoing. |
| Start Year | 2013 |
| Description | Translating across Borders: exploring the use, relevance and impact of academic research in the policy process |
| Organisation | University of Stirling |
| Country | United Kingdom |
| Sector | Academic/University |
| PI Contribution | Intellectual contribution, literature reviewing, fieldwork (undertaking case study work, interviewing) |
| Collaborator Contribution | Intellectual contribution, literature reviewing, fieldwork (undertaking case study work, interviewing, ethnography/ participant observation, convening workshops) |
| Impact | Project is ongoing. |
| Start Year | 2013 |
| Description | Ways of knowing: Exploring the different registers, values and subjectivities of collaborative research |
| Organisation | Durham University |
| Country | United Kingdom |
| Sector | Academic/University |
| PI Contribution | Contribution to a series of workshops and a 'zine on inter-disciplinary and multi-modal collaboration and learning. |
| Collaborator Contribution | As above |
| Impact | Academic outputs are forthcoming. |
| Start Year | 2013 |
| Description | Ways of knowing: Exploring the different registers, values and subjectivities of collaborative research |
| Organisation | University of Leeds |
| Country | United Kingdom |
| Sector | Academic/University |
| PI Contribution | Contribution to a series of workshops and a 'zine on inter-disciplinary and multi-modal collaboration and learning. |
| Collaborator Contribution | As above |
| Impact | Academic outputs are forthcoming. |
| Start Year | 2013 |
| Description | 'The Social Relevance and 'Impact' of Political Science' at the Political Studies Association Annual Conference, Cardiff (March 2013) |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | A formal working group, expert panel or dialogue |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | International |
| Primary Audience | Other academic audiences (collaborators, peers etc.) |
| Results and Impact | Approx. 80 academics attended a plenary session on 'The Social Relevance and 'Impact' of Political Science' at the Political Studies Association Annual Conference, Cardiff (March 2013) NA |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2013 |
| Description | Closing the 'relevance gap' makes more fundamental demands of academic researchers |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | Engagement focused website, blog or social media channel |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | International |
| Primary Audience | Other audiences |
| Results and Impact | Post for British Politics and Policy at LSE blog arguing that we must find alternative ways of working with communities that allow them to set the terms of engagement. |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2012 |
| URL | http://blogs.lse.ac.uk/impactofsocialsciences/2013/10/11/fast-scholarship-is-not-always-good-scholar... |