Science and Sense: Using knowledge effectively to address climate change

To be confirmed

This course forms part of the Climate-KIC executive education offering.

Background

Knowledge brokerage is about knowing what knowledge exists, who owns that knowledge, and how that knowledge can be best exchanged among stakeholders and decision-makers. It can play an important role in developing effective climate change policies and strategies and in encouraging climate change innovation.

Knowledge brokering is about bringing people together, to help them build relationships, uncover needs, and share ideas and evidence that will let them do their jobs better. It is the human force that makes knowledge transfer (the movement of knowledge from one place or group of people to another) more effective. [Canadian Health Services Research Foundation, 2003]

Knowledge brokerage can be used for:

• Sharing knowledge with decision makers and stakeholders at all levels.
• Addressing the complexities and uncertainties around climate change.
• Making sense of the different perspectives on climate change.
• Communicating clearly amongst stakeholders.

Knowledge brokerage for climate change is important now because climate change knowledge is complex, diverse and contested yet there is a need for the development of practical plans and strategies that can be agreed and implemented by organisations, governments and communities. Consensus building across how to address climate change impacts and risks, what mitigation and adaptation approaches to use, and how to engage a diversity of stakeholders, requires methods, practices, and capacity in the management of knowledge.

The Programme and Aim

Recognising the complexity of developing appropriate climate change responses and in using climate change science effectively, Imperial College London and Collingwood Environmental Planning (CEP) are presenting a training programme in which participants will:

• Explore techniques that can be used to enable knowledge brokerage relating to climate change.
• Identify opportunities for knowledge exchange and transfer – both in new processes and part of existing processes.
• Learn about knowledge brokerage theory and its relationship to knowledge transfer and knowledge exchange, drawing on UK and international case studies and practical examples relevant to climate change.
• Explore how to get the best out of information and knowledge by using good practice techniques for knowledge brokerage.
• Understand the links between climate science (information), knowledge and policy and the needs of decision makers, business leaders and the public.
• Explore the role of political, institutional and social contexts and their impact on the use of climate change knowledge in policy making.
• Discuss basic types of knowledge and types of research: lay and expert knowledge, social and physical sciences, and the debates around their relative value to policy making.

The aim of this course is to provide participants with an understanding of knowledge brokerage theory, applications and techniques, with a key focus on developing practical understanding of how knowledge brokerage can be used to facilitate improved communication, decision making and to stimulate innovation in the context of climate change.

Who Should Attend?

The course will be of interest to:

• Public sector organisations involved in climate change policy and strategy.
• Businesses with an interest in climate change as a challenge and an opportunity for innovation.
• International development organisations and agencies.
• All those with responsibility for developing or implementing climate related policy or managing change and innovation related to climate change.
• Consultancies with an interest in climate change.
• NGOs and other organisations working in climate change related education, advocacy, facilitation etc.
• Academics and students.
• Others with an interest in understanding and developing practical skills in knowledge brokerage.

Teaching Approach

The course will be delivered over two days. The training represents a thorough, but focused programme to provide participants with a sound understanding of the theory and techniques of knowledge brokerage, and to develop, through practical examples confidence in developing a programme of knowledge brokerage suitable for their needs in relation to climate change.

To complement this, the course uses interactive teaching methods such as role plays, visual aids and discussion groups. In addition, case studies are used to illustrate all aspects of the course, drawing on recent practical examples. The maximum number of participants on the course will be 24 with at least two trainers each day and guest speakers as appropriate.

PParticipants will receive a workbook to follow during the course and supporting reference material in both hard copy and electronic format.

The course will run from 9.00am to 5.00pm each day, with each day broadly taking the following format:

• Introduction
• Lecture and plenary discussions
• Group work and structured activities – e.g. break outs and role-playing
• Round up and concluding discussions.