Co-Producing Knowledge for Coastal Futures

Recent literature suggests that the co-production of knowledge is an effective way of addressing the complexity of current sustainability challenges. The aim is to transform traditional research into a more inclusive, transdisciplinary process that considers issues such as power relations, the usability of research findings for local stakeholders, and the incorporation of different epistemological traditions.
However, success is not guaranteed, and researchers often encounter various challenges.
Co-Producing Knowledge for Coastal Futures examines the challenges and opportunities of co-producing knowledge in the context of sustainable coastal management. Through a rich case study approach using mixed methods, the study examines the co-design phase of the ‘Participatory Modelling for Nature-Based Solutions in the WIO Region’ project – initiated by institutions from Madagascar, Germany and Tanzania, with activities conducted in Toliara, Madagascar, and Mafia Island, Tanzania. It explores the experiences of organisers and participants in the co-production process, as well as their perceptions of local coastal management.
By focusing on inclusivity and contextualisation, the book makes a valuable contribution to the theory and practice of co-production in sustainability science.
It demonstrates how local knowledge and perspectives can be meaningfully incorporated to promote more context-sensitive and inclusive approaches to coastal management and international research collaboration.

Minea Mäder has a background in Biology and Social Anthropology and holds an Erasmus Mundus Master’s in Sustainable Territorial Development. She is author of Co-Producing Knowledge for Coastal Futures and has previously worked in the fields of ecology, corporate responsibility, and sustainability. Today, she operates at the interface of science, policy, and society, focusing on transdisciplinary and transformative research in Switzerland and beyond.