Inquiry

Cognizant that the production and circulation of knowledge is deeply tied to social and political context, this three-headed question forms the foundation for our publishing and event series The Society for the Diffusion of Useful Knowledge (SDUK). Returning always to those latter two words, “useful knowledge”—and what they create when combined—we look to how knowledge can become plural knowledges, multiple ways of knowing. Plurality is aimed at problematizing the monolithic knowledge practices of the 18th century society from which the SDUK draws its name. The original SDUK disseminated “empirical” study from throughout the British empire, publishing for broad audiences using the inexpensive broadsheet format. Our reuse of SDUK maintains the latter while refusing the former. We ask: How can we engage many forms of knowledge—multiple worldviews, disciplines and realms of expertise, modes of address, sensory engagements, emotional registers, and anticipated outcomes?