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Transforming science and society? Methodological lessons from and for transformation research
[Shifting Power Relations in Sustainability Transitions: A Multi-Actor Perspective]

Author

Listed:
  • Katharina Hölscher
  • Julia M Wittmayer
  • Martin Hirschnitz-Garbers
  • Alfred Olfert
  • Jörg Walther
  • Georg Schiller
  • Benjamin Brunnow

Abstract

Transformation research has in the past years emerged as a shared lens to study and support radical societal change towards sustainability. Given the nascent and exploratory—yet highly normative and ambitious—character of transformation research, we aim to enhance the understanding of transformation research: when do research designs qualify as transformation research, what is needed for putting transformation research into practice, and what are results? To this end, we develop a framework that identifies criteria for designing and reflecting on research results, design and processes as transformation research. We employ this framework to reflect on our work in a research project that was designed in the spirit of transformation research: The TRAFIS (Transformations towards resource-conserving and climate-resilient coupled infrastructures) project sought to understand and support the development of innovative coupled infrastructures to mobilize their critical role in achieving sustainability transformations. Our results yield lessons and recommendations about what transformation research looks like in practice and how it can be strengthened, focussing on 1, redefining and re-valuing research for societal impact; 2, redesigning research to integrate perspectives on radical societal change; and 3, re-equipping researchers and research partners for social learning. We conclude that while transformation research already contributes to framing and generating knowledge about real-world sustainability challenges, its transformative impact is still limited. Practicing transformation research requires far-reaching changes in the science system, but also continuous reflection about legitimacy, power relations, and impacts.

Suggested Citation

  • Katharina Hölscher & Julia M Wittmayer & Martin Hirschnitz-Garbers & Alfred Olfert & Jörg Walther & Georg Schiller & Benjamin Brunnow, 2021. "Transforming science and society? Methodological lessons from and for transformation research [Shifting Power Relations in Sustainability Transitions: A Multi-Actor Perspective]," Research Evaluation, Oxford University Press, vol. 30(1), pages 73-89.
    • Handle: RePEc:oup:rseval:v:30:y:2021:i:1:p:73-89.
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    Cited by:

    1. Busse, Maria & Zscheischler, Jana & Zoll, Felix & Rogga, Sebastian & Siebert, Rosemarie, 2023. "Co-design approaches in land use related sustainability science – A systematic review," Land Use Policy, Elsevier, vol. 129(C).
    2. Teresa Kampfmann & Philip Bernert & Daniel J Lang, 2023. "Toward a modular evaluation approach of real-world laboratories: Findings from a literature review," Research Evaluation, Oxford University Press, vol. 32(1), pages 128-143.
    3. Patrícia Tourais & Nuno Videira, 2024. "Sustainability transition strategies in a business context: A co‐creation process in the Portuguese hospitality sector," Corporate Social Responsibility and Environmental Management, John Wiley & Sons, vol. 31(1), pages 600-628, January.
    4. Marian Stuiver & Sabine O’Hara, 2021. "Food Connects Washington DC in 2050—A Vision for Urban Food Systems as the Centerpieces of a Circular Economy," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 13(14), pages 1-18, July.
    5. Sabine Hoffmann & Lisa Deutsch & Julie Thompson Klein & Michael O’Rourke, 2022. "Integrate the integrators! A call for establishing academic careers for integration experts," Palgrave Communications, Palgrave Macmillan, vol. 9(1), pages 1-10, December.

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