The Value of Stakeholder Participation in Collaborative Research Projects for Sustainable Development: A gender and intersectional analysis

In Agenda 2030 gender equality, equity and collaborative stakeholder partnerships are interlinked preconditions for the enactment of the Agenda. But, different and competing pathways to sustainability are built on different types of knowledge. This means that different knowledge might privilege some groups in society over others, without justification. Applying gender and intersectional analysis, this research studied three sustainable development research projects ostensibly based on collaborative approaches. 

This research examined the collaborative objectives and methodologies of these projects. It revealed insights into using collaborative research approaches to improve the design of future research projects and improve practical application. Of particular focus was equal access to knowledge production as a necessary condition for determining desirable pathways to sustainability. Knowledge production for sustainable development requires alternative voices and innovative ideas in solving the complex issues underlying for example environmental governance. It was therefore central to examine how increased gender equality and equity was realised in the three projects and enhanced in collaborative research projects generally. The point of departure was dialectic: for gender equality and equity to become a reality, there must be equal and democratic collaborative processes, and for democratic processes to be truly collaborative, gender equality and equity needs to be addressed.