Co-Production and the Politics Of

CO-PRODUCTION AND THE POLITICS OF USABLE KNOWLEDGE FOR CLIMATE ADAPTATION IN TANZANIA by MEAGHAN ELIZABETH DALY B.A., Colorado College, 2005 M.A., Columbia University, 2009 A thesis submitted to the Faculty of the Graduate School of the University of Colorado in partial fulfillment of the requirement for the degree of Doctor of Philosophy Environmental Studies Program 2016 This thesis entitled: Co-production and the Politics of Usable Knowledge for Climate Adaptation in Tanzania written by Meaghan Elizabeth Daly has been approved for the Environmental Studies Program Lisa Dilling (Chair) Mara Goldman Date The final copy of this thesis has been examined by the signatories, and we find that both the content and the form meet acceptable presentation standards of scholarly work in the above mentioned discipline. IRB protocol # ____________________ ii Daly, Meaghan Elizabeth (Ph.D., Environmental Studies) Co-production and the Politics of Usable Knowledge for Climate Adaptation in Tanzania Thesis directed by Dr. Lisa Dilling and Dr. Mara Goldman ABSTRACT The concept of ‘co-production’ is increasingly offered as an approach to enable more responsive and inclusive processes of knowledge production across a range of disciplines. While it is recognized that uneven power relations play a significant role in shaping co-production processes, how these dynamics affect, and are affected by, intentional efforts to ‘co-produce’ usable knowledge is not well understood. In this dissertation, I examine the multiple ways in which power is exercised within efforts to ‘co-produce knowledge’ for climate adaptation decision-making in Tanzania, and with what effect. I do so through a multi-scalar mixed methods case study. To begin, I conduct a systematic literature review to illustrate the lack of conceptual clarity around the term co-production and argue that there is a need to distinguish between ‘strong constitutive’, ‘strong interactional’, and ‘weak interactional’ interpretations of the term. Then, I present results from a survey examining the production, circulation, and use of climate knowledge across institutional scales in Tanzania. I find that existing landscapes of climate knowledge are complex, with both formal and informal pathways for knowledge production and circulation playing an important role. Next, I conduct a modified Actor-Network analysis to understand the ‘constitutive’ dimensions of co-production. I find that current efforts to co-produce climate knowledge in Tanzania rely on stable science-society configurations in which there is a clear demarcation between ‘producers’ and ‘users’ of knowledge. This may have the unintended effect of delimiting the full participation of some actors within instrumental co-production efforts. Finally, using a critical application of the Knowledge System Criteria (KSC) framework (credibility, salience, legitimacy), I examine the politics involved in the production of ‘usable’ knowledge. I find that how actors relate to and employ these criteria within instrumental co-production efforts represents a political move that can reinforce existing power differentials. In sum, I find that uncritical usages of the concept of co-production may contribute to the very problems they are intended to solve. These findings are offered as part of an effort toward developing more critical, yet integrative and productive, understandings of co-production. iii ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS This dissertation is dedicated to my brother, James. His sharp wit and sense of humor have been greatly missed. I’m sure that it would have made him laugh to learn that I am now Dr. Daly. It is also dedicated to my grandmother, Patricia Daly. Her unending optimism and fortitude in the face of many obstacles taught me so much. At many moments, completing a Ph.D. feels like a fundamentally lonely and individual task. I suppose that it is only in retrospect that one can look back to fully realize that there were so many people enabling your progress, so many giving you that extra nudge, so many propping you up, and so many cheering you on at all points along the way. It is difficult to capture the depth of gratitude that I feel to all those who have helped me in just a few, meager words. It feels wholly insufficient. But I suppose I must consider these words as just the beginning of trying to repay my debts. I must admit – there are so many people that I owe thanks to, it is entirely possible that I may miss someone. I apologize in advance for any lapses. I will start with the many people in Tanzania who made this research possible. Without their patience, tolerance, and generosity, this dissertation could not have been written. In the districts of Monduli and Longido, I start with the people in Arkaria and Kiserian, who were continually curious about my presence, but always welcoming. In particular, I would like to thank Ndoika Sakita, and his wife, Narikosaro. They, and other members of their household, made me feel like part of their family and I am deeply grateful for the many things they taught me – both the large and the small. It was always sad to see their boma fading from my rearview mirror as I reached the top of the hill and dropped down into the valley on my way back to Arusha. I would also like to thank Daniel and Neema Oldorop, who graciously welcomed me into their home for delicious meals during my field stays. I am grateful for the evenings of candlelit conversation and good company. I must also thank Mepukori Mollel, Chairman of Arkaria Village, and Alais Yohana, Executive Officer of Kiserian Village, for granting me permission to conduct research in their villages. I am also grateful to Ally Msangi and Joseph Rutabingwa, who were my focal points in the Longido and Monduli district offices. They were always willing to meet with me and to support my research, despite their busy schedules. There are also many individuals and organizations in Arusha and Dar es Salaam that I am indebted to. I thank COSTECH for supporting the research project and granting me permission to conduct research in Tanzania. Importantly, I must thank Dr. Elifuraha Laltaika, Lecturer of Law at Tumaini University – Makumira, who acted as my academic affiliate in Tanzania, but also became a good friend. I am consistently inspired by his commitment to supporting indigenous rights around the world. His enthusiasm and support for my research was always greatly valued. I am also thankful for the support of Alais Morindat, who was a key collaborator in this research from the very start and provided me with essential guidance throughout. He always made time to chat with me and to impart some of his wisdom! He and his wife, Maria, also welcomed me into their home in during the early days of the project, while I was still finding my bearings. I am also grateful for Munka Killerai and his family who provided me with a roof over my head and transport both within and outside of Arusha. I am also grateful to Rosemary Mchihiyo and Augustine Kanemba, who were my first contacts at the Tanzanian Meteorological Agency (TMA) back to 2010. I also thank Dr. Ladislaus Chang’a, Helen Msemo, and Mecklina Merchades, who were always generous in supporting the project. I am grateful to Dr. Agnes Kijazi, Director General of TMA, who granted me permission to spend time in the agency’s offices and the opportunity to learn from her very able staff. I also thank the many other individuals in national government offices, as well as non-governmental organizations, who made this research possible. I also thank iv Renatus Mkaruka of the Tanzanian Red Cross Society and Juvenal Kisanga of the World Food Programme, who were always willing to let me to tag along. I would also like to appreciate the contributions of the many staff members and local government officials who participated in the inception meeting and several feedback meetings throughout the project. Your knowledge and experience greatly improved the quality of this research. In particular, I would like to thank Esupat Ngulupa and Jopha Kakanyi whose strong voices were always a welcome addition to any meeting. I also thank my dedicated team of survey enumerators – Majembe ya Kazi daima! In particular, I thank Simon Lepilal and Herry Matinda, who I now consider good friends. I would also like to thank Sarah Lenkai and Samaito Ole Kopitoo, who provided additional research assistance at critical junctures in the project. Finally, I must thank Shayo Alakara Lemoloo, who was my primary research assistant for three years. His sense of humor and knack for story-telling made field work much more enjoyable – even during our ‘death-marches’ to and from distant sub- villages, markets, and watering holes and, also, when the car (inevitably) broke down. A large portion of the data presented in this dissertation is the result of his hard work and dedication. I am also extremely grateful for the friendship of Fokas Nchimbi, who introduced me to the Swahili language during my first visit to Tanzania in 2008. He, his wife, Suze, and daughter, Paula, along with James and Krista, were always ready to provide me with a much needed escape from the Peninsula. Next, it is important to acknowledge that without a great deal of assistance and guidance from many individuals and organizations in the U.S., my forays to Tanzania would not have been possible. First, I need to thank my advisors, Lisa Dilling and Mara Goldman. This research would not have been possible without their combined support. From the day I arrived at CU, Lisa was incredibly supportive of my desire to conduct my research in Tanzania – even though this often meant taking the more difficult route! She was willing to go above and beyond the call of duty on many, many occasions to help me along the way – and, for that, I am extraordinarily grateful.

Load more