1:45 PM - 2:00 PM
[U14-01] Lessons and insights from the practice of co-creation research
★Invited Papers
Keywords:Co-creation, Transdisciplinary research, Transdisciplinary approach, Participatory action research, Pattern language
As various social and environmental problems become more serious and complex, research through collaboration and co-creation, in which researchers conduct research in collaboration with stakeholders in society, is attracting attention. In particular, recently, it has been said that it is desirable to carry out research involving co-creation, in which researchers and local residents collaborate from the planning stage of research projects, so that the results of research are not only disclosed but also take root in society and continue to have ripple effects over the medium to long term (Such approach is also known as transdisciplinary (TD) approach, participatory action research, etc.). TD approach and action research have been practised by some researchers in Japan and are not widely known in many fields, including Earth sciences. In addition, many researchers publish research results obtained as a result of co-creation in discipline-specific journals or specialised books, but rarely write about the part of collaboration and co-creation with stakeholders as articles or books, making it difficult to even know the actual situation.
Against this background, we have collected findings from the practice of co-creation-type research and developed a set of hints or insights for co-creation, namely “Co-creation patterns”. Using the method called pattern language, which is considered effective in uncovering and systematising tacit knowledge, researchers who have conducted co-creation-type research for many years were interviewed about their actions and backgrounds to facilitate collaboration and co-creation with local stakeholders, and the results were classified and systematised through multiple workshops. Although the interviewees' fields of expertise varied widely, including Earth sciences, engineering, natural science and social science, many commonalities were found in their methods of practice, and ultimately 35 practical insights (hints) were extracted. The tips are described as sets of situations (contexts), challenges (problems) and solutions (solutions), with each set (pattern) indicating the challenges that tend to arise in a situation and the ways to solve them. The elements that were shared by many researchers were then identified as the four main elements of co-creation (key patterns).
This presentation will highlight some of the issues from the “Co-creation patterns” that are particularly relevant to the challenges of facilitating knowledge co-creation activities and will be presented as material for discussion. These include, for example, the importance of focusing on 'fusion' and 'collaboration' but also respecting 'disciplines', valuing outcomes in society, and an attitude of equitable partnership and mutual learning. There are no simple solutions to these challenges but sharing them as a common understanding among the parties involved will enhance the co-creation of the team as a whole and lead to more desirable solutions.
Against this background, we have collected findings from the practice of co-creation-type research and developed a set of hints or insights for co-creation, namely “Co-creation patterns”. Using the method called pattern language, which is considered effective in uncovering and systematising tacit knowledge, researchers who have conducted co-creation-type research for many years were interviewed about their actions and backgrounds to facilitate collaboration and co-creation with local stakeholders, and the results were classified and systematised through multiple workshops. Although the interviewees' fields of expertise varied widely, including Earth sciences, engineering, natural science and social science, many commonalities were found in their methods of practice, and ultimately 35 practical insights (hints) were extracted. The tips are described as sets of situations (contexts), challenges (problems) and solutions (solutions), with each set (pattern) indicating the challenges that tend to arise in a situation and the ways to solve them. The elements that were shared by many researchers were then identified as the four main elements of co-creation (key patterns).
This presentation will highlight some of the issues from the “Co-creation patterns” that are particularly relevant to the challenges of facilitating knowledge co-creation activities and will be presented as material for discussion. These include, for example, the importance of focusing on 'fusion' and 'collaboration' but also respecting 'disciplines', valuing outcomes in society, and an attitude of equitable partnership and mutual learning. There are no simple solutions to these challenges but sharing them as a common understanding among the parties involved will enhance the co-creation of the team as a whole and lead to more desirable solutions.