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Transforming knowledge systems for life on Earth: From producing knowledge about our world to generating wisdom about how to act within it

Many of us work in knowledge systems, including universities, research institutes or educational organizations. We shape and reshape them on a daily basis. They are important for contemporary societies. They are, however, also arguably failing humanity. Failing, when their impact is measured against the level of progress being made in stimulating the societal changes needed to address challenges like climate change or biodiversity loos.

With a novel futures-oriented and participatory approach called 3 horizons the participants of Transformations 2017 conference investigated: 1) the challenges of existing knowledge systems; 2) what future envisioned knowledge systems might need to look like; and 3) how we might get there. Results led to collaborative, peer-reviewed publication including 183 co-authors.

Findings suggest we need to re-purpose our knowledge systems to help us rapidly shift towards creating wisdom about how to act in the world not just focus on creating more knowledge. To genuinely be a creative force in supporting longevity of human and non-human life on our planet, the shift in knowledge systems will probably need to be at the scale of the enlightenment and speed of the scientific and technological revolution accompanying the second World War. This will require bold and strategic action from governments, scientists, civic society and sustained transformational intent – as detailed in the paper.

Find out more:
Fazey, I. et al. (2020). Transforming knowledge systems for life on Earth: Visions of future systems and how to get there. Energy Research & Social Science, 70, 101724. (open access): https://doi.org/10.1016/j.erss.2020.101724

Picture contributed by Stephan Verveen, https://www.funnelvision.nl

Blog post by Dr. Niko Schäpke.