On Interdisciplinarity and Models of Knowledge Production

The six UK Genetics Knowledge Parks (GKPs) were shaped and governed by two frameworks: a 'need' to harness 'new genetics' and the relations of accountability as seen in the context of entrepre neurial government. The remit of the Cambridge GKP (CGKP) was to develop public health genetics by building on the concepts of partner ship and interdisciplinarity. In the course of its work, the CGKP empha sized the virtues of 'change management', seen as distinct from, and opposed to, an academic model of knowledge production. However, the model that the CGKP actually created was a research/management hybrid that resisted quality assurance checks developed for each model (research and management), presenting a formidable challenge for the evaluation and assessment of the CGKP's work.