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Bridging divides in sustainability science

Sustainability Science volume 12, pages 875–879 (2017)Cite this article

Abstract

Transdisciplinary research between diverse academic and societal actors is a core practice in sustainability science. However, it often seems to fail in delivering new scientific insights while also significantly contributing to sustainability transformations. It is also often experienced as a burden instead of adding value, which leads to fatigue and disengagement. To address these challenges, we propose to bridge four divides: (i) positioning and linking disciplinary and transdisciplinary research; (ii) transferring and scaling insights from real-world experimentation; (iii) opening the “extended ivory towers” and reaching a majority of relevant societal actors; (iv) aligning research practice with broader sustainability values such as collaboration, mindfulness, and altruism.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Center for Global Sustainability and Cultural Transformation, Leuphana University of Lüneburg, Lüneburg, Germany

    Daniel J. Lang, Arnim Wiek & Henrik von Wehrden

  2. Arizona State University, Tempe, AZ, USA

    Daniel J. Lang, Arnim Wiek & Henrik von Wehrden

  3. Institute of Ethics and Transdisciplinary Sustainability Research, Faculty of Sustainability, Leuphana University of Lüneburg, Lüneburg, Germany

    Daniel J. Lang

  4. School of Sustainability, Arizona State University, Tempe, AZ, USA

    Arnim Wiek

  5. Institute of Ecology, Faculty of Sustainability, Leuphana University of Lüneburg, Lüneburg, Germany

    Henrik von Wehrden

Authors
  1. Daniel J. Lang
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  2. Arnim Wiek
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  3. Henrik von Wehrden
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Correspondence to Arnim Wiek.

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Lang, D.J., Wiek, A. & von Wehrden, H. Bridging divides in sustainability science. Sustain Sci 12, 875–879 (2017). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11625-017-0497-2

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s11625-017-0497-2

Keywords

  • Sustainability science theory
  • Solutions
  • Impact
  • Stakeholders
  • Engagement
  • Transformations