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Short abstract:

This paper develops a framework identifying key features for an effective and democratic knowledge ecosystem. It evaluates the Dutch case of radioactive waste management, contributing empirically and theoretically to the discourse on knowledge ecosystems and similar concepts.

Long abstract:

Society faces grand societal challenges like climate change and biodiversity-loss, often referred to as wicked problems. In addressing these challenges, the role of knowledge is crucial yet frequently subject to debate. Therefore, enhancing our understanding of how knowledge can effectively contribute to addressing sustainability issues becomes increasingly imperative. The long-term management of radioactive waste exemplifies such a complex challenge, characterized by intergenerational and multi-level governance aspects and a diversity of values and uncertainties. Ensuring that knowledge effectively informs decision-making on this matter is both important and complex. Academic literature argues the necessity of an effective and democratic knowledge ecosystem for addressing wicked problems. However, existing literature lacks a clear answer regarding what constitutes a democratic and effective knowledge ecosystem, as well as which interventions can enhance it. This paper addresses this gap by developing a framework through an explorative literature review, synthesizing key features for an effective and democratic knowledge ecosystem. These features are organized around the involved actors and their knowledge, their interactions, and the governance structure, collectively shaping the knowledge ecosystem. Subsequently, the paper reflects on insights gained from a stakeholder workshop, where this framework was applied to evaluate the Dutch knowledge ecosystem concerning long-term radioactive waste management. The analysis sheds light on interventions that can enhance the effectiveness and democratic nature of this knowledge ecosystem. The discussion explores opportunities for generalization. Consequently, this paper contributes both theoretically and empirically to the growing discourse on knowledge ecosystems and similar concepts, while also pinpointing possibilities for future research.