Samenvatting

Abstract: academia is still struggling with its concrete role with respect to the Knowledge Ecosystem, in particular in view of its obligation to create and share generalised knowledge (as opposed to specialised 'practice-aligned' knowledge) and the necessity of publishing in peer reviewed academic journals etc. In this keynote, I present some opsevratuons based on recent publications and the ongoing debate in the Netherlands concerning the nature of practice-oriented research and the role of Universities of Applied Sciences in engage in it and further it. I focus on the 'interface between Practice and Academia' and identify two specific 'knowledge functions' related to that interface: inducing generalized practical knowledge from practitioners, and weaving generalized knowledge into specific situations (which amounts to 'applying knowledge in practice'). I then talk about and anticipate a next step by sketching possibilities to support Learning Communities with knowledge technology and dedicated, self-service 'Knowledge Platforms'.