Six modes of co-production for sustainability

Josephine M. Chambers (), Carina Wyborn, Melanie E. Ryan, Robin S. Reid, Maraja Riechers, Anca Serban, Nathan J. Bennett, Christopher Cvitanovic, María E. Fernández-Giménez, Kathleen A. Galvin, Bruce E. Goldstein, Nicole L. Klenk, Maria Tengö, Ruth Brennan, Jessica J. Cockburn, Rosemary Hill, Claudia Munera, Jeanne L. Nel, Henrik Österblom, Angela T. Bednarek, Elena M. Bennett, Amos Brandeis, Lakshmi Charli-Joseph, Paul Chatterton, K. Curran, Pongchai Dumrongrojwatthana, América Paz Durán, Salamatu J. Fada, Jean-David Gerber, Jonathan M. H. Green, Angela M. Guerrero, Tobias Haller, Andra-Ioana Horcea-Milcu, Beria Leimona, Jasper Montana, Renee Rondeau, Marja Spierenburg, Patrick Steyaert, Julie G. Zaehringer, Rebecca Gruby, Jon Hutton and Tomas Pickering
Additional contact information
Josephine M. Chambers: Wageningen University
Carina Wyborn: Luc Hoffmann Institute, IUCN Conservation Centre
Melanie E. Ryan: Luc Hoffmann Institute, IUCN Conservation Centre
Robin S. Reid: Colorado State University
Maraja Riechers: Leuphana University of Lüneburg
Anca Serban: Luc Hoffmann Institute, IUCN Conservation Centre
Nathan J. Bennett: University of British Columbia
Christopher Cvitanovic: Australian National Centre for the Public Awareness of Science, Australian National University
María E. Fernández-Giménez: Colorado State University
Kathleen A. Galvin: Colorado State University
Bruce E. Goldstein: University of Colorado Boulder
Nicole L. Klenk: University of Toronto
Maria Tengö: Stockholm University
Ruth Brennan: Trinity College Dublin
Jessica J. Cockburn: Rhodes University
Rosemary Hill: CSIRO Land and Water
Claudia Munera: Australian National University
Jeanne L. Nel: Nelson Mandela University
Henrik Österblom: Stockholm University
Angela T. Bednarek: The Pew Charitable Trusts
Elena M. Bennett: McGill University
Amos Brandeis: Architecture, Urban & Regional Planning, LTD
Lakshmi Charli-Joseph: Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México
Paul Chatterton: University of Leeds
K. Curran: The Pew Charitable Trusts
Pongchai Dumrongrojwatthana: Chulalongkorn University
América Paz Durán: Universidad Austral de Chile
Salamatu J. Fada: Bangor University
Jean-David Gerber: University of Bern
Jonathan M. H. Green: University of York
Angela M. Guerrero: Stockholm University
Tobias Haller: University of Bern
Andra-Ioana Horcea-Milcu: Babeş-Bolyai University
Beria Leimona: World Agroforestry (ICRAF)
Jasper Montana: University of Oxford
Renee Rondeau: Colorado Natural Heritage Program
Marja Spierenburg: Leiden University
Patrick Steyaert: UPEM LISIS INRA
Julie G. Zaehringer: University of Bern
Rebecca Gruby: Colorado State University
Jon Hutton: Luc Hoffmann Institute, IUCN Conservation Centre
Tomas Pickering: Colorado State University

Nature Sustainability, 2021, vol. 4, issue 11, 983-996

Abstract: Abstract The promise of co-production to address complex sustainability challenges is compelling. Yet, co-production, the collaborative weaving of research and practice, encompasses diverse aims, terminologies and practices, with poor clarity over their implications. To explore this diversity, we systematically mapped differences in how 32 initiatives from 6 continents co-produce diverse outcomes for the sustainable development of ecosystems at local to global scales. We found variation in their purpose for utilizing co-production, understanding of power, approach to politics and pathways to impact. A cluster analysis identified six modes of co-production: (1) researching solutions; (2) empowering voices; (3) brokering power; (4) reframing power; (5) navigating differences and (6) reframing agency. No mode is ideal; each holds unique potential to achieve particular outcomes, but also poses unique challenges and risks. Our analysis provides a heuristic tool for researchers and societal actors to critically explore this diversity and effectively navigate trade-offs when co-producing sustainability.

Date: 2021
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Citations: View citations in EconPapers (14)

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DOI: 10.1038/s41893-021-00755-x

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