Researchers as knowledge brokers: translating knowledge or co-producing legitimacy? An urban infill case from Finland.

Abstract

<p>Knowledge brokering is on the rise in various spheres of knowledge societies. The aim has been to improve the interaction between knowledge production and use. This paper analyses knowledge brokering activities in the context of urban densification. In an institutionally ambiguous situation we organised a new kind of participatory event for enabling the public discussion on densification to grow. We interpret the event as a boundary interaction, wherein we acted as knowledge brokers. However, the question remains as to what were we actually co-producing: brokered knowledge, novel collaborative partnerships or political legitimacy for a vague planning process?</p>