Designing for health in school buildings: Between research and practice. Issue 3 (May 2015)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Kirkeby, Inge Mette; Jensen, Bjarne Bruun; Larsen, Kristian; Kural, René
• Is Part Of: Scandinavian journal of public health. Volume 43:Issue 3(2015:May)
• Page Start: 260
• Page End: 268
• Publication Date: 2015-05
• Subjects: Knowledge management -- research-based knowledge -- school mental health -- school buildings; Public health -- Periodicals; Social medicine -- Periodicals; 614
• DOI: 10.1177/1403494815569378
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 1403-4948

Abstract

Aim : To investigate the kinds of knowledge practitioners use when planning and designing for health in school buildings. Methods : Twelve semi-structured qualitative interviews were conducted with architects, teachers and officials to investigate use of knowledge in the making of school buildings. Results : Practitioners drew on many kinds and sources of knowledge, but in particular they made use of concepts, examples or pictures or thought-provoking knowledge. However, the interviews indicate a number of hurdles for efficient knowledge sharing between research and practice: (1) a considerable discrepancy between kinds of knowledge used by practice and knowledge traditionally produced by research; (2) research-knowledge and practice-knowledge form two circuits and the flow from one circuit to the other is weak; (3) practitioners' knowledge was often based on experience and therefore person-dependent. It makes the knowledge vulnerable. Conclusions : Special attention has to be paid by research to concepts and principles to guide the decision-making in practice. Further is recommended to consider new kinds of collaboration between researchers and practitioners.