Engaged scholarship in project organizing research: The case of UK infrastructure

We present how rigor and relevance in project organizing research can be achieved by adopting the principles of engaged scholarship. We established a research collaboratory between scholars and practitioners to address a real-world practical problem in the UK infrastructure sector and supported the development of practitioner thinking on the leadership of major projects. We identify six specific dynamic capabilities required of UK infrastructure owners and operators and advance theory in owner capabilities for infrastructure development. By adopting this approach we revealed the potential of an engaged scholarship method to address real-world practical problems and advance theoretical knowledge thereby retaining rigor and achieving relevance. •Engaged scholarship in project organizing research retains rigor and achieves relevance.•Research collaboratory in UK infrastructure sector for knowledge co-creation.•Development of practitioner thinking on leading major projects.•Six dynamic capabilities required of UK infrastructure owner and operators.