ABSTRACT
Andrew Stirling wrote in 2006 for the European Commission that there was a ‘move towards an emerging paradigm of “co-operative research”. This is a new form of research process, which involves both researchers and non-researchers in close co-operative engagement’ (Stirling, 2006). However, the practice of co-operative or collaborative research is not new. Many academics work together regularly with business firms and with public administration, and sometimes with non-governmental organizations. And, vice versa, civil society organizations (CSOs) look for support from academics.
