Hand holds a small plant shoot in a round planting ring among grasses.

group

Knowledge for Action

Research

The Knowledge for Action working group examines how scientific knowledge is incorporated into social and political decision-making processes and how it can have an impact there.

The focus is on linking research, social dialogue and policy-oriented knowledge work.

The working group sees itself as a platform for experimental, transdisciplinary research. The aim is to develop models in which knowledge is jointly generated, shared and effectively utilised – as a basis for sustainable societal decisions.

 

Key areas

Putting knowledge into practice

Our work encompasses various, closely interlinked areas: the development of citizen science platforms, the analysis of participation processes, international programmes on public engagement, and research into science-policy interfaces.

Projects such as mit:forschen! or Trust in Citizen Science demonstrate how participation transforms scientific processes and gives rise to new forms of collaboration. International initiatives such as PEX broaden this perspective and foster exchange across national contexts.

The interface between science and policy

A central component of our work is the analysis and design of interfaces between science and policy. Through formats such as the Biodiversity Policy Lab, we investigate the conditions under which scientific findings inform political decisions and how this process can be improved.

Innovation and new methods

At the same time, we are developing new approaches to knowledge production, for example by combining citizen science with digital technologies, as in the IQ Wasser project. Such approaches make it possible to tap into new data sources and combine public participation with scientific innovation.

 

Team

Projects

Internal Project

IETI

Publikationen (Auswahl)

Jahre, S., Diekämper, J., Glahe, C. (2026). Looping Nature. Knowledge Enhancing Transdisciplinary Collaboration and Participatory Practice in Natural Science Museums. Journal of Museum Education, 1-14. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1080/10598650.2026.2636335Open Access

Voigt-Heucke, S., Maibaum, A., Oesterheld, M., Schrögel, P. (Hrsg.). (2026). Praxishandbuch Partizipation in der Wissenschaft. Methode, Modus oder Mindset. Berlin: Springer Nature. URL: https://link.springer.com/book/9783658510923

Brink, W., Dörler, D., Heigl, F., Höhener, O., Mülller, M., Rössel, J., Schauermann, E., Stämpfli, T., Zumthurm, T. (2026). Boussole: données ouvertes et sciences citoyennes - Un guide pour débutant·e·s. (18) [Leitfaden]. European Organization for Nuclear Research. DOI: https://doi.org/10.5281/zenodo.18302791Open Access

Diekämper, J., Glahe, C. (2026). Die Erziehung der Hirse - Ein Gedicht wächst aus der Schule. [Comic]. Museum für Naturkunde Berlin - Leibniz-Institut für Evolutions- und Biodiversitätsforschung. DOI: https://doi.org/10.7479/3gcc-nc69Open Access

Leibniz Research Network Biodiversity, Thonicke, K., Rahner, E., Arneth, A., Bonn, A., Borchard, N., Chaudhary, A., Darbi, M., Dutta, T., Eberle, U., Eisenhauer, N., Farwig, N., Flocco, C.G., Freitag, J., Grobe, P., Grosch, R., Grossart, H.P., Grosse, A., Grützmacher, K., Hagemann, N., Hansjürgens, B., Hartman Scholz, A., Hassenrück, C., Häuser, C., Hickler, T., Hölker, F., Jacob, U., Jähnig, S., Jürgens, K., Kramer-Schadt, S., Kretsch, C., Krug, C., Lindner, J.P., Loft, L., Mann, C., Matzdorf, B., Mehring, M., Meier, R., Meusemann, K., Müller, D., Nieberg, M., Overmann, J., Peters, R.S., Pörtner, L.M., Pradhan, P., Prochnow, A., Rduch, V., Reyer, C.P.O., Roos, C., Scherber, C., Scheunemann, N., Schroer, S., Schuck, A., Sioen, G.B., Sommer, S., Sommerwerk, N., Tanneberger, F., Tockner, K., van der Voort, H., Veenstra, T., Verburg, P.H., Voss, M., Warner, B., Wende, W., Wesche, K. (2024). 10 Must Knows from Biodiversity Science 2024.. Potsdam Institute for Climate Impact Research. DOI: https://doi.org/10.5281/ZENODO.10837769Open Access

Calvera-Isabal, M., Oesterheld, M., Peltoniemi, A., Santos, P., Martínez-Martínez, F., Golumbic, Y. (2025). Understanding learning opportunities in citizen science: a triangulated approach. International Journal of Science Education Part B, 15(4), 1-18. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1080/21548455.2025.2488403

Shennan, V., Stewart, M. (2025). Förderung von Transdisziplinärer & Partizipativer Forschung und Public Engagement: Explorationsstudie zu Entwicklungspotenzialen in Deutschland. [Explorativer Studienbericht]. Stifterverband für die Deutsche Wissenschaft e. V.. DOI: https://doi.org/10.5281/ZENODO.17398553Open Access

Shennan, V., Stewart, M. (2025). Fostering Transdisciplinary & Participatory Research and Public Engagement with Research: Exploratory Study on the Developmental Potential in Germany. (66) [Explorativer Studienbericht]. Stifterverband für die Deutsche Wissenschaft e. V.. DOI: https://doi.org/10.5281/ZENODO.17397897Open Access

Keinath, S., Freyhof, J., Kasper, K., Lutz, M., Velder, R., Riestenpatt, D., Petzold, F., Schwarz, J., Ponick, W., Eidner, R., Meißner, J., Bengsch, S., Sommerwerk, N. (2025). Towards Global Biodiversity Framework Target 12: mapping urban biodiversity monitoring programmes – a case study for Berlin, Germany. Urban Ecosystems, 28(4), 146. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s11252-025-01760-0Open Access

Keinath, S., Sommerwerk, N., Fienitz, M., Freyhof, J. (2025). From coverage to extension: Evaluating indices for biodiversity monitoring in cities to reflect global and EU biodiversity targets. Ecological Indicators, 171, 113223. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ecolind.2025.113223Open Access

Bloesch, J., Cyffka, B., Hein, T., Sandu, C., Sommerwerk, N. (2025). The Danube river and the western Black Sea coast: complex transboundary management. Amsterdam, Netherlands: Elsevier.

Keinath, S., Sommerwerk, N., Scuto, L., Nello, T., Freyhof, J. (2025). First-time application of the IUCN urban Nature Indexes and its applicability for urban-related biodiversity conservation targets–A case study for Berlin, Germany. Ecological Indicators, 180, 114327. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ecolind.2025.114327Open Access

Diekämper, J., Glahe, C., Jahre, S. (2025). Naturwissen im Aushandlungsprozess oder: Die Stimmenvielfalt der Museumsbesuchenden. [Arbeitspapier]. Museum für Naturkunde (MfN) - Leibniz-Institut für Evolutions- und Biodiversitätsforschung. DOI: https://doi.org/10.7479/YRZE-BD97Open Access

Faustino, A., Shennan, V., Wendler, J. (2024). Impact: Definitions, How to Manage It, A case study. (6). Museum für Naturkunde Berlin - Leibniz Institute for Evolution and Biodiversity Science. DOI: https://doi.org/10.7479/m82c-m683Open Access

Galloway, C., Joubert, M., Milne, R., Monaghan, J., Shennan, V., Spokes, L., Wendler, J. (2024). Emotions in Engagement Toolkit - A practice guide and insights from the Collaborative Futures Academy 2024. (56) [Leitfaden]. Museum für Naturkunde Berlin - Leibniz Institute for Evolution and Biodiversity Science. DOI: https://doi.org/10.7479/m1m8-km40Open Access

Keinath, S., De Silva, S., Sommerwerk, N., Freyhof, J. (2024). High levels of species' extirpation in an urban environment—A case study from Berlin, Germany, covering 1700–2023. Ecology and Evolution, 14(7), e70018. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1002/ece3.70018Open Access

Farwig, N., Sprenger, P.P., Baur, B., Böhning-Gaese, K., Brandt, A., Eisenhauer, N., Ellwanger, G., Hochkirch, A., Karamanlidis, A.A., Mehring, M., Pusch, M., Rehling, F., Sommerwerk, N., Spatz, T., Svenning, J.C., Tischew, S., Tockner, K., Tscharntke, T., Vadrot, A.B.M., Taffner, J., Fürst, C., Jähnig, S.C., Mosbrugger, V. (2024). Identifying Major Factors for Success and Failure of Conservation Programs in Europe. Environmental Management, 75(3), 425-443. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00267-024-02086-xOpen Access

Wirth, C., Bruelheide, H., Farwig, N., Maylin Marx, J., Sommerwerk, N., Freyhof, J. (2024). 5. Binnengewässer und Auen. In Settele, J. (Hrsg.), Faktencheck Artenvielfalt (521-646). Ergolding: oekom Verlag. DOI: https://doi.org/10.14512/9783987263361Open Access

Museum für Naturkunde Berlin (Hrsg.). (2024). Partizipation in der Wissenschaft (DUZ Special). Berlin: DUZ Verlags- und Medienhaus. URL: https://www.duz-special.de/de/ausgaben/partizipation-in-der-wissenschaft/Open Access

Golumbic, Y.N., Oesterheld, M. (2023). From goals to engagement—evaluating citizen science project descriptions as science communication texts. Frontiers in Environmental Science, 11, 1228480. DOI: https://doi.org/10.3389/fenvs.2023.1228480Open Access

Stewart, M.L. (2023). Science communication in Germany. A practice in transition. Journal of Science Communication, 22, R01. DOI: https://doi.org/10.22323/2.22010601Open Access

Bessert-Nettelbeck, M., Bischof, A., Sturm, U., Nagy, E., Schraudner, M., Backhaus, J., Bruckermann, T., Hecker, S., Henke, J., Köpferl, K., Kirschke, S., Liedtke, C., Mahr, F., Maibaum, A., Podann, A., Rössig, W., Schäfer, M., Schröder, C., Schrögel, P., Shennan, V., Steinhaus, N., Stewart, M., Van Den Bogaert, V., Voigt-Heucke, S. (2023). [Report]: Participation as a research approach in academia: a converging field. Research Ideas and Outcomes, 9, e105155. DOI: https://doi.org/10.3897/rio.9.e105155Open Access

Heron, P.J., Dalton, Kath, Shephard, G.E., Hutchins, S., Stewart, M., George, D., Reynolds, R., Sharif, A., Lewis, A., Williams, J.A. (2023). Student perspectives on creating a positive classroom dynamic: science education in prison. Research for All, 7(1). DOI: https://doi.org/10.14324/RFA.07.1.08Open Access

Bessert-Nettelbeck, M., Müller, M., Voigt-Heucke, S. (2023). How to assess scientific excellence in Citizen Science? Co-creating a science award. Proceedings of Austrian Citizen Science Conference 2023 — PoS(ACSC2023), 021. DOI: https://doi.org/10.22323/1.442.0021Open Access

Müller, M., Lorenz, J., Voigt-Heucke, S., Heinrich, G., Oesterheld, M. (2023). Citizen Science for the Sustainable Development Goals? The Perspective of German Citizen Science Practitioners on the Relationship between Citizen Science and the Sustainable Development Goals. Citizen Science: Theory and Practice, 8(1), 34. DOI: https://doi.org/10.5334/cstp.583Open Access

Müller, M., Brink, W., Voigt-Heucke, S.L., Wehrle, F. (2023). Citizen Science – Perspektiven für die nachhaltige Etablierung von Bürgerbeteiligung in der Wissenschaft. In Sommer, J. (Hrsg.), Kursbuch Bürgerbeteiligung (144-160). Berlin: Republik Verlag. URL: https://bipar.de/wp-content/uploads/2025/09/kbb5.pdfOpen Access

Voigt-Heucke, S.L., Müller, M., Rostin, J. (2023). How Citizen Science Projects Contribute to Urban Biodiversity Monitoring and Conservation Frameworks—A German Case Study. Citizen Science: Theory and Practice, 8(1), 30. DOI: https://doi.org/10.5334/cstp.585Open Access

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