50
65 Michel Pimbert
Figure 1. Diverse gatekeepers of knowledge decide on the validity and quality of
citizens’ juries’ policy recommendations
OVERSIGHT AND EXTENDED PEER REVIEW
Video film archives
Media (TV, radio, press)
Evaluation built into
the process – not ‘end
of the pipe’
Direct observers &
Learning group members
In situ monitoring and
evaluation – in real
time
Extended peer review
of complex process and
outcomes
Independent oversight
Panel
Citizens’
Jury Process
& Outcomes
Source: Pimbert (2011).
Instead, power-equalising research relies
on a more inclusive and plural process of
co-validation of knowledge that brings
together representatives of different knowledge systems (scientific, indigenous, local)
in ‘extended peer communities’. For example, the process and outcomes of citizens’
juries on the future of food, agriculture and
environment in West Africa and South Asia
have all been co-validated by many different actors (academics, donors, policy
makers, media professionals and farmers)
who were physically present during the citizens’ juries (Figure 1).8
Extended peer communities necessarily engage in multi-disciplinar y,
intercultural dialogues and negotiations
to agree on what counts as valid and
useful knowledge in their unique settings
– often emphasising the value of people’s
knowledge of the local situation and of the
context of change. People involved in this
way of knowing thus participate in the
joint production of collective knowledge.
They are involved in a deeply sensemaking activity, generating meaning both
for themselves and for the knowledge they
are co-creating. Such ‘extended peer
communities’ are important safeguards
for the generation of inclusive, valid, relevant and high quality knowledge needed
to adaptively respond to rapid change and
uncer tainty through democratic
processes.
8
For West Africa, see Pimbert et al. (2011). For South Asia, see: www.prajateerpu.org and
Kuruganti et al. (2008). For the work of the Alliance for Democratising Agricultural Research in
South Asia (ADARSA) and citizens’ juries on agricultural research, see also: www.raitateerpu.com.