Embedding research in Living Labs: insights from a case comparison of knowledge co-production processes

Abstract Increased focus on collaborative change-making in Living Labs creates a need to better understand how knowledge co-production enables experimental investigation of and engagement with sustainability challenges. Tracing how knowledge co-production in Living Labs supports learning processes beyond local contexts is equally important. This study uses a multiple-step reflection process to compare four workshop series about improving water and landscape governance within Living Labs in Sweden, Germany, Finland, and Latvia. Drawing on reflective diaries, interviews with case leaders, and a joint workshop for data collection, we investigate how specific framings of these knowledge co-production processes affect actors’ commitment to join a workshop series. We also compare the roles of actor selection and process design for co-producing context-specific knowledge, nurturing shared understandings, and developing pathways forward. Our findings show that framing elements such as the sustainability problem addressed, links to collaborative structures or networks, and approach to long-term engagement determine actors’ commitment to join and participate in workshops. We argue that actor selection should strike a balance between overly similar interests and entrenched positions while ensuring breadth and depth of knowledge. Moving from understanding the problem towards developing pathways forward, providing guidance and direction while ensuring open-endedness, and centering activities for relating to others and place can support processes of connecting knowledges and developing feasible strategies with high implementation potential. We conclude that investing in reflective practice to transparently discuss processes and outcomes of knowledge co-production remains essential for both conceiving and conducting societally relevant research in Living Labs.