Transforming
Knowledge Systems
Research and practice to enhance the impact of science on society
The Science of Actionable Knowledge (SOAK) is a community of social scientists, engaged researchers, and practitioners. We conduct rigorous research and critical scholarship on how science is produced and used in decisions and actions. We seek to understand what enables knowledge to support actions that increase social and environmental well-being. We also work with research institutions and funders to learn about and implement leading practices for supporting actionable knowledge production. Through this work we build the capacity of SOAK scientists and practitioners.
Studying how actionable knowledge is made and used
Systematically studying the drivers and mechanisms through which actionable knowledge is generated and used. This includes studies of research impact or use, assessment of success & failures of co-production practices, etc.
Scaling actionable knowledge
Examining theoretical and practical frameworks, tools or processes that broaden the scope of actionable knowledge generation and its use. This includes frameworks for scaling co-production, examining tools to disseminate actionable knowledge to broader audiences, etc.
Governing and evaluating actionable knowledge
Assessing how various institutions or political, economic or socio-cultural factors can advance or impede actionable knowledge production and its use. This includes understanding how funding impacts actionable knowledge, identifying how institutional metrics need to be changed to promote actionable knowledge, etc.
Informing institutional change
SOAK knowledge can be used to build capacity of institutions to help promote actionable production and use. This includes trainings for researchers, innovations in funding practices, reforming research incentives, and designing research centers.
Meet the SOAK Community
James Arnott
Executive Director, Aspen Global Change Institute
Co-Lead, SOAK
Kripa Jagannathan
Research Scientist, Berkeley National Lab
Co-Lead, SOAK
Katharine Mach
Professor & Chair
University of Miami Rosenstiel School & Abess Center
Ryan Meyer
Executive Director
Center for Community and Citizen Science, UC Davis
Aparna Bamzai-Dodson
Assistant Regional Administrator
USGS North Central Climate Adaptation Science Center
Kristin Timm
Research Assistant Professor
International Arctic Research Center, University of Alaska Fairbanks
Leah Nichols
Executive Director, Institute for a Sustainable Earth
George Mason University
Lynée Turek-Hankins
Neukom postdoctoral fellow
Dartmouth College, Thayer School of Engineering
Alison Meadow
Associate Research Professor
Office of Societal Impact, University of Arizona
Ben Miyamoto
Manager
The Pew Charitable Trusts’ Transforming Evidence Funders Network
Carina Wyborn
Associate Professor
Institute for Water Futures and Fenner School of Environment and Society, Australian National University
Mark Neff
Professor
Western Washington University
Mayra Cruz, MPH
PhD Student in Environmental Science & Policy
University of Miami
Urooj Raja
Assistant Professor
Loyola University Chicago
SOAK Research and Resources
Resource Hub
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