La recherche en partenariat: Entre fiction et friction

Abstract

Our paper deals with the issues and practices at stake in the interdisciplinary partnership research held. Taking as a starting point the observation of three on-going research projects confronting agriculture with environmental or sanitary issues, the authors analyse the effects produced, in terms of scientific results, by the relationships established among researchers and development partners. The hypothesis is that the partnership is based on a two-sided reality: fiction, on the one hand, goes with the assumption that while researchers and partners do consider each other as allies, they consistently avoid confrontation in order to let things run their course. Friction, on the other hand, may arise with disagreement and thus alter the course of events. As revealed by the results of the study, this two-sided reality is held in tension within each project. Their comparison brings out three key points required in the management of such projects: the degree of solidarity between the groups concerned, the kingpin role of mediators, and the manner in which the research is conducted to meet changes in the partnership. © NSS Dialogues, EDP Sciences 2007.