Understanding and addressing knowledge equity in knowledge mobilisation

Monday 28th November saw a group of around 20 researchers and practitioners gather to consider issues of knowledge equity in knowledge mobilisation. It was so good to be back in person for these thought-provoking and sometimes challenging discussions. Jenna Breckenridge presenting a slide on Epistemic Injustice

Academic institutions are beginning to pay more attention to equity issues surrounding the production and use of knowledge and researchers are becoming increasingly aware of a world beyond Western science. There has been relatively little discussion, however, about what this means in the context of knowledge mobilisation, research use and evidence-informed policy and practice. This event aimed to open the way for further thought, discussion and research around this topic.

Three invited speakers provided food for thought and discussion by exploring issues of epistemic injustice in their areas of research.

  • Anna Numa Hopkins (NORRAG & University of Warwick) spoke about the globally uneven and unjust production and use of academic research and strategies and challenges for sharing under-represented knowledge.
  • Jenna Breckenridge (University of Dundee) shared her learning and reflections on the epistemic injustices that exist within and between health and social care policy and practice, gleaned from her personal experiences as a new mother and her position as an embedded researcher both with the NHS and Scottish Government.
  • Isabella Pistone (University of Gothenburg) focused on research that examined the relationship between evidence based policy and epistemic injustice by discussing ‘invisible’ forms of evidence-basing and knowledge use within disability care.

Discussions over the rest of the day focused on three core questions

  1. What assumptions about knowledge and knowledge equity exist in our respective fields of practice?
  2. What theories and frameworks are used and useful in examining and addressing issues of knowledge equity?
  3. What injustices do we uphold and create in our practice as knowledge mobilisers?

Unsurprisingly discussions were deep and wide-ranging. We reflected on where the roots of epistemic and cognitive justice lie, questioning the extent to which academics from a white, western tradition draw on and acknowledge the work of other non-white, non-western and/or indigenous scholars. We also considered the tensions of working within policy and practice systems that are in themselves the products of historic injustices, noting that engaging with parliaments, government ministries or professional groups means facing the inequities in knowledge mobilisation head on. It also means asking hard questions about one’s own privilege and identity and our role versus those we claim to represent. We agreed that there is so much more we can do towards generating concrete steps towards the more equitable, inclusive and effective mobilisation of knowledge in a world that is still characterised by deep cognitive and epistemic injustices. Further reflections on the event from one of the attendees can be found here: https://www.ids.ac.uk/opinions/we-need-to-talk-about-equity-in-knowledge-mobilisation/

Group of people enjoying a meal

Thankfully meeting in-person meant that we were able to end the day in true RURU style with a shared meal at a local restaurant. Discussions about knowledge equity continued, but so too did other more lighthearted conversations about life and work in our respective fields. It was so lovely to catch up with everyone in person and we look forward to hosting another event soon.