Opening up creative resources: towards age-friendly communities through rhizomatic thinking and doing

Marielle Schuurman, Barbara Groot, Tineke Abma

Research output: Contribution to JournalArticleAcademicpeer-review

Abstract

Globally, many complex issues, like the ageing population and health inequalities, require attention. People are experimenting to combat these issues in their local contexts through bigger or smaller networks; however, much of the knowledge about these initiatives remains localised and elitist and omits the voices and perspectives of citizens. This article identifies the characteristics of a more horizontal, emergent and plural epistemology to mobilize knowledge. We used local networks building age-friendly communities in the Netherlands as a case study. With members of 110 local networks, we worked with a new methodology called dynamic knowledge synthesis to create fruitful interactions and learn with stakeholders, including older citizens, in a learning community. Four working principles helped us, namely (1) a rhizomatic design based on multiplicity, heterogeneity and non-linearity of knowledge; (2) fertile soil nurtured by the talents and wisdom of participants through participatory arts-based methods; (3) so-called 'wicked skills' of a forester 2.0 to facilitate learning; and (4) an ecosystem metaphor as a boundary object to understand local networks. We invite colleagues to experiment with dynamic knowledge synthesis to connect on different levels, with particular attention to the inclusion of citizens in creating sustainable local communities.

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)70-95
Number of pages26
JournalEducational Action Research
Volume33
Issue number1
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - 2025

Bibliographical note

© 2024 The Author(s). Published by Informa UK Limited, trading as Taylor & Francis Group.

Funding

One of the aims in our study was to develop a new research design called dynamic knowledge synthesis. The commissioning organization (ZonMw, the Dutch Council for Health Research) invited us to stimulate the learning process within and between 110 local networks for the care and well-being of older people, to bring in knowledge from outside these networks and to aggregate and synthesize knowledge from these bottom-up initiatives. The 110 networks focus on various topics, ranging from fall prevention to social meeting places. ZonMw financed all the networks for a certain period (one to three years). This research, also funded by ZonMw, had a dynamic and action-oriented character. In this study, we gathered, enriched and shared knowledge in several cycles with project leaders, action researchers, network partners and seniors of the local networks in order to explore, share and use insights about good living with and for older people in the community and to apply actions based on these insights in the community.

FundersFunder number
ZonMw

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