HAN_F_05 Exploring Transfer – Designing Transfer: Evidence-based Knowledge Transfer as a Contribution to Societal Cohesion

Aims/Research Questions

This project considers societal cohesion as a dependent variable. Within the framework of an empirical-analytical contribution, it examines how knowledge transfer can be designed to positively influence societal cohesion. In times of emotional political discourse, we believe that participatory and transfer-oriented science can contribute to societal cohesion in two ways. On the one hand, participatory knowledge generation promotes understanding and recognition of scientific findings, which in turn support the objectification of social debates. On the other hand, knowledge transfer and participatory projects that involve actors from different societal fields can provide impulses for social commitment and social innovation.

The aim of this project is to gain empirically proven insights into how evidence-based knowledge transfer can promote societal cohesion (work package 1). In addition, results of the empirical investigation will be applied to support transfer and participatory activities in further RISC projects. Accordingly, the project seeks to support structures and practices of societal cohesion based on empirical findings (work package 2).

Thematic Reference to Social Cohesion 

The project supports researchers and stakeholders in civil society and practice during the duration of RISC by realizing research and transfer activities in a way that they can effectively contribute to societal cohesion.

In work package 1, “Exploring transfer”, the transfer activities of (1) already completed and (2) ongoing model projects are empirically investigated. The three model projects each have a focus on transfer and participation and investigates various characteristics of societal cohesion in different regions of Germany and in international comparison. The concept and methodology for the empirical investigation will be developed in cooperation with the Halle and Bremen sections. This procedure enables a comparative investigation of transfer activities for the reinforcement of societal cohesion across the different RISC locations.

The empirical analysis focuses on the following key questions:

1) How are transfer activities and participatory research approaches in research projects on societal cohesion conceived, implemented, and evaluated?

2) How are transfer activities and participatory research approaches accepted, implemented, and evaluated by stakeholders and practice partners in terms of their impact and sustainability?

In work package 2, “Designing transfer”, this project cooperates with other RISC projects in the Hannover section and offers support for the implementation of project-specific transfer activities. Support is provided through evidence-based impulses and interventions based on the findings of work package 1 on formats, success factors, challenges, and effects of knowledge transfer for societal cohesion.