Linking Dutch and International Experiences
Within the context of Wageningen UR’s focus on “Science for Impact”, LEI and Wageningen International invite you to this seminar that will explore how different types of complexity impact on research and innovation strategy. A particular focus will be on linking Dutch and International experiences with new approaches to interactive research and innovation.
The Seminar is taking advantage of the visit of researchers from the Sahelian Fruit Trees project (SAFRUIT). This is a large EU supported research project with a significant focus on participatory research methods and knowledge generation.
The case studies being presented and the discussion will focus on the relationship between science and the often daunting challenges to be faced in the coming decades (e.g. resource demands, tackling poverty and food insecurity, and climate change). We see that politicians, business and community leaders and policy makers are increasingly confronted with profoundly difficult decisions, and they are asked to respond quickly. How can science help and what are the implications for the scientific community?
The problem for science is that its focus has largely been on dealing with problems that are “knowable” and where clear cause and effect relationships can be discovered and used to make accurate predictions. But what can science and knowledge institutions offer when faced with problems of extreme complexity, uncertainty or chaotic behaviour? In such situations the idea of ‘science for impact’ clearly needs to be much more than just making sure research results are used.
The seminar will explore the nature of different ‘practical’ problem types, ask if a more expansive concept of science is needed and discuss the implications for the relationship between researchers and wider society.
The program of the workshop is given below. For further information, please contact Jolanda van de Berg (LEI).
Please confirm your participation to: Lonneke Budel (Wageningen International), before February 28, 2007.
Programme