The seminar “Is co-production really effective? A counter-narrative from an action-research perspective” marks the final open lecture of the Honours Programme promoted by DAStU – Politecnico di Milano, offering a critical reflection on co-production and its actual capacity to generate meaningful change in public action processes.

Drawing on the work of Laura Saija (University of Catania), the session challenges established narratives, highlighting limitations, ambiguities, and conditions under which participatory and action-research practices can be effective.

In complex urban and territorial contexts, co-production is often framed as a solution to bridge research and policy. However, its implementation raises key questions: which actors are truly involved? What forms of knowledge are recognized? And to what extent do these processes produce lasting impacts?

Adopting an action-research perspective, the seminar offers a critical yet constructive view on the potential of co-production, in line with the Honours Programme’s aim to strengthen the connection between research and public action. The discussion will be enriched by contributions from Anna Moro and Francesca Cognetti (DAStU).