Transformative Pathways to Sustainability

"This book – over five years in the making – clearly illustrates the powerful potential of internationally-networked, transdisciplinary research. It marks an important step forward in the study of social transformations for sustainability, and is a key resource for those who concern themselves with today’s important challenge of transforming science."

— Heide Hackmann, PhD, Chief Executive Officer, International Science Council (ISC)

"There is a proliferation of studies about the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), but this well written and structured book goes to the heart of the debate: the necessary transformations for addressing the SDGs. What emerges is an important tapestry of theories and rich selection of local experiences that can be used to understand transformations and work with stakeholders using Transformation-Lab methodologies. It is an exemplary and compelling account of an exciting collective and global transdisciplinary research adventure. A must-read for anyone, academic and practitioners, engaged with the deep challenges of our time."

— Johan Schot, Professor of Global History and Sustainability Transitions at the Utrecht University Centre for Global Challenges and Academic Director of the Transformative Innovation Policy Consortium (TIPC)

"Transformation requires collective wisdom. Once this is forged by connecting and communicating across boundaries, it creates a bigger coherence that unites and steers us all, whatever our location, speciality or profession. This book describes how collective wisdom can be created to support transformative action."

— Oliver Greenfield, Convenor, Green Economy Coalition

"The best way to shape the future is to imagine it, and the best way to imagine it is to learn from pioneering examples. This book provides the examples and the theory that explains them. Fantastic reading for practitioners, scholars and dreamers!"

— Carlota Perez, Honorary Professor at the Institute for Innovation and Public Purpose IIPP-UCL

"In this potentially decisive decade for human well-being and planetary health, the question of how systemic or transformative change happens remains critical. How do we transition to social and economic pathways that ensure prosperity for all without cataclysmic environmental and climatic consequences? What role can transdisciplinary research play in identifying and helping to resolve structural barriers to transformative change? In this moment of unusual opportunities and challenges, this mould-breaking book tackles these questions head on. It is a timely and welcome challenge to the global development, research and policy communities to think and act differently."

— Dr. Cosmas Milton Obote Ochieng, Global Director, Governance, Poverty and Equity, World Resources Institute

"This book offers rich insight into how transformative change happens. It is the output of an established global community of researchers and practitioners working to enhance the ways in which research and innovation improves the lives of those facing critical social, economic and environmental challenges. It is a hugely valuable resource for others in that growing community who share the ambitions and motivations of the authors."

— Prof Joanna Chataway, Head of Department of Science, Technology, Engineering and Public Policy (UCL STEaPP), University College London