The New Production of Knowledge

Michael Gibbons, Camille Limoges, Helga Nowotny, Simon Schwartzman,

Peter Scott, Martin Trow

Mode 1 and Mode 2

• Single discipline-based

• Problem formulation governed by interests of specific community

• Problems set and solved in (largely) academic context

• Trans-disciplinary, involving a diverse range of specialists

• Problem formulation governed by interests of actors involved with practical problems

• Problems set and solved in application-based context

Mode 1 and Mode 2

• Newtonian model of science specific to a field of enquiry

• Research practice conforms to norms of discipline’s definition of “scientific”

• Quasi-permanent, institutionally-based teams

• Emergent theoretical / conceptual framework not reducible to single discipline

• Research practice reflexive and socially accountable

• Short-lived, problem-defined, non-institutional teams

Mode 1 and Mode 2

• Hierarchical and conservative team organization

• Normative, rule-based, “scientific” knowledge produced

• “Innovation” seen as production of “new” knowledge

• Non-hierarchical and transient team organization

• Consensual, continuously negotiated, knowledge produced

• “Innovation” also seen as reconfiguration of existing knowledge for new contexts

Mode 1 and Mode 2

• Separate knowledge production and application

• Dissemination is discipline-based through institutional channels

• Research practice should be “good science”

• Integrated knowledge production and application

• Dissemination is through collaborating partners and social networks

• Dynamic research practice characterized by on the move problem-solving

These slides were originally prepared by David Campbell, a visiting scholar at GWU, based on the book, The New Production of Knowledge