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Inner Dimensions of Regeneration: Mental Models, Mindsets and Cultures

Author

Listed:
  • Hannah Gosnell

    (College of Earth, Ocean and Atmospheric Sciences, Oregon State University, Corvallis, OR 97331, USA)

  • Ethan Gordon

    (College of Earth, Ocean and Atmospheric Sciences, Oregon State University, Corvallis, OR 97331, USA)

Abstract

A growing body of scholarship recognizes the importance of understanding the inner dimensions of transformations to sustainability at individual, collective, and system levels and their influence on the behavior of individuals and groups and the types of institutions that prevail. This review summarizes and synthesizes scholarship on the inner dimensions of regeneration , a subject of growing interest in the sustainability science literature. Regeneration refers to a process of rebuilding or renewing an asset, resource, ecosystem, individual, family, organization, community, or place. It enables the expression of nature’s capacity for self-organization and empowers social-ecological systems to revive themselves through positive reinforcing cycles. The review seeks to improve understanding of the characteristics and meanings of regenerative mental models, mindsets, and cultures. It begins with definitions, then describes methods, summarizes results, and discusses what regenerative mental models and mindsets look like when they become part of culture and are scaled to larger social-ecological systems.

Suggested Citation

  • Hannah Gosnell & Ethan Gordon, 2025. "Inner Dimensions of Regeneration: Mental Models, Mindsets and Cultures," Challenges, MDPI, vol. 16(3), pages 1-17, August.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jchals:v:16:y:2025:i:3:p:39-:d:1725476
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    References listed on IDEAS

    as
    1. Ethan Gordon & Federico Davila & Chris Riedy, 2022. "Transforming landscapes and mindscapes through regenerative agriculture," Agriculture and Human Values, Springer;The Agriculture, Food, & Human Values Society (AFHVS), vol. 39(2), pages 809-826, June.
    2. Fabricio Casarejos & Carlos Rufin & Ivan Engel, 2021. "Regenerative Democracy for Envisioning and Fostering Flourishing Societies," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 13(11), pages 1-21, May.
    3. Christine Wamsler & Jamie Bristow, 2022. "At the intersection of mind and climate change: integrating inner dimensions of climate change into policymaking and practice," Climatic Change, Springer, vol. 173(1), pages 1-22, July.
    4. Madison Seymour & Sean Connelly, 2023. "Regenerative agriculture and a more-than-human ethic of care: a relational approach to understanding transformation," Agriculture and Human Values, Springer;The Agriculture, Food, & Human Values Society (AFHVS), vol. 40(1), pages 231-244, March.
    5. Bryony Sands & Mario Reinaldo Machado & Alissa White & Egleé Zent & Rachelle Gould, 2023. "Moving towards an anti-colonial definition for regenerative agriculture," Agriculture and Human Values, Springer;The Agriculture, Food, & Human Values Society (AFHVS), vol. 40(4), pages 1697-1716, December.
    6. Leah V. Gibbons, 2020. "Regenerative—The New Sustainable?," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 12(13), pages 1-18, July.
    7. Timothy Pape & Gwendŵr Meredith & David Sandahl & Md Faizul Kabir & Simanti Banerjee & Craig Allen & Elliot Dennis & Mitchell Stephenson, 2025. "Understanding the values that inform regenerative ranching in the Northern U.S. Great Plains," Agriculture and Human Values, Springer;The Agriculture, Food, & Human Values Society (AFHVS), vol. 42(2), pages 997-1008, June.
    8. Hannah Gosnell & Kerry Grimm & Bruce E. Goldstein, 2020. "A half century of Holistic Management: what does the evidence reveal?," Agriculture and Human Values, Springer;The Agriculture, Food, & Human Values Society (AFHVS), vol. 37(3), pages 849-867, September.
    9. Edeltraud Haselsteiner & Blerta Vula Rizvanolli & Paola Villoria Sáez & Odysseas Kontovourkis, 2021. "Drivers and Barriers Leading to a Successful Paradigm Shift toward Regenerative Neighborhoods," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 13(9), pages 1-22, May.
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