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Craft metrics to value co-production

To assess whether research is relevant to society, ask the stakeholders, say Catherine Durose, Liz Richardson and Beth Perry.
  1. Catherine Durose

    1. Catherine Durose is a reader in policy sciences at the University of Birmingham, UK.

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  2. Liz Richardson

    1. Liz Richardson is a reader in politics at the University of Manchester, UK.

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  3. Beth Perry

    1. Beth Perry is a professor in urban studies at the University of Sheffield, UK.

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Aerial view of roundabout in Bangkok

Traffic around the Democracy Monument in Bangkok, where city plans aim to improve the quality of life. Credit: Anucha Sirivisansuwan/Getty

Advocates of co-production encourage collaboration between professional researchers and those affected by that research, to ensure that the resulting science is relevant and useful. Opening up science beyond scientists is essential, particularly where problems are complex, solutions are uncertain and values are salient. For example, patients should have input into research on their conditions, and first-hand experience of local residents should shape research on environmental-health issues.

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Nature 562, 32-33 (2018)

doi: https://doi.org/10.1038/d41586-018-06860-w

References

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  2. Durose, C. & Richardson, L. Designing Public Policy for Co-Production: Theory, Practice and Change (Policy Press, 2016).

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  5. Richardson, L. in Handbook of Social Policy Evaluation (ed. Greve, B.) 119–138 (Elgar, 2017).

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  6. Pain, R. et al. Mapping Alternative Impact (N8 Research Partnership, Durham Univ. & Economic and Social Research Council, 2015).

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  7. May, T. & Perry, B. Cities and the Knowledge Economy: Promise, Politics and Possibilities (Routledge, 2018).

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  8. Polk, M. in Disciplining Interdisciplinarity (ed. Bammer, G.) Ch. 51 (ANU Press, 2013).

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  10. Wilsdon, J. et al. The Metric Tide: Report of the Independent Review of the Role of Metrics in Research Assessment and Management (HEFCE, 2015).

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Competing Interests

C.D, L.R. and B.P. receive funding for two of the initiatives mentioned — Jam and Justice: Co-Producing Urban Governance for Social Innovation (UK Economic and Social Research Council) and Mistra Urban Futures (Mistra Strategic Environmental Research Foundation).

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