Abstract
The delegation of research to self-directed networks is a relatively new strategy to focus academic endeavour on public priorities. Networks involve policy-makers, knowledge producers and knowledge users in unfamiliar governance and management relationships. Here we reflect, as practitioners, on research networks as complex governance systems and on their projects as knowledge-action systems designed to deliver public value. Projects represent the currency in which delegated research is issued, but their conversion into monetary grants and awards diverts attention from their potential as boundary organizations or communities of practice in the production of societal knowledge and understanding. Recognizing and supporting projects as scalable components of enduring knowledge-action systems, rather than as transient instances of research funding, is key to sustaining delivery of public value under conditions of network governance.
Highlights
The delegation of research to self-directed networks is a relatively new strategy to focus academic endeavour on public priorities
Projects represent the currency in which delegated research is issued, but their conversion into monetary grants and awards diverts attention from their potential as boundary organizations or communities of practice in the production of societal knowledge and understanding
We discuss the relationship between networks and complex governance systems, reflecting in particular on the utility of policy action systems in the delivery of public programmes and projects
Summary
The delegation of research to self-directed networks is a relatively new strategy to focus academic endeavour on public priorities. As practitioners, on research networks as complex governance systems and on their projects as knowledge-action systems designed to deliver public value. Recognizing and supporting projects as scalable components of enduring knowledge-action systems, rather than as transient instances of research funding, is key to sustaining delivery of public value under conditions of network governance.
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