Societal transformation towards sustainable development

Profound transformations are needed for societies to become more sustainable. Such sustainability transformations are explored in the context of transformation research, transformative research, and related approaches. To lay the foundations for this, the project “Research on Sustainability Transformations” was launched by the Platform Science and Policy (SAP) of SCNAT.

For the year 2023, the project team dedicated itself to the following priority topic:

Reflecting on and discussing different roles of scientists in sustainability transformations

In 2022, the project pursued the following goals

Goal 1: Explain the uses of the term transformation and related research approaches.

The aim here is to offer guidance to SCNAT specialist audiences on how, in what context, and why to utilize the terms transformation research and transformative research, as well as how transformation is understood, how transformation processes occur, and the role science plays or could play.

Methods used: Survey and mini-Delphi approach among researchers belonging to the SCNAT network, desk research

Goal 2: Identify priorities and opportunities for action.
The aim here is to determine the tasks that emerge for SCNAT, and for the Academies overall, when discussing and engaging with sustainability transformations.

Methods used: Iterative development of priority topics in the project committee, workshop