Transdisciplinary, real-word labs and relational spaces- Driving forces of transformation-oriented sustainability science

The research area of transformation-related sustainability science and governance focuses on the intentional design of social change as a solution to persistent social-ecological problems. In this context, a wide range of complementary and overlapping conceptual approaches have been developed. Dr. Niko Schäpke’s research project aims to develop shared terminology and overarching, empirically based comparisons. These comparisons are intended to enable synthetic learning from diverse approaches and empirical experiences. The project also aims to clarify the specific reference to sustainability in the sense of developing knowledge that guides action.

Results to date:

• Schäpke, N., Beecroft, R., Wanner, M., Wagner, F., Rhodius, R., Laborgne, P. & Parodi, O. (2024): Gaining deep leverage? Reflecting and shaping impacts of real-world labs through leverage points. GAIA 33/S1: 116 – 124.
• Schäpke, N., Wagner, F., Beecroft, R., Rhodius, R., Laborgne, P., Wanner, M. & Parodi, O. (2024): Impacts of real-world labs in sustainability transformations: Forms of impacts, creation strategies, challenges, and methodological advances. GAIA 33/S1: 4-9
• Wagner, A., Schäpke, N., Strasser, J. & Matoba, K. (2024): Co-creating Resonant Societies in Times of Crises: Trauma, Polarization and Democracy. UNU-CRIS working paper, United Nations University.
• Williams, R., Wittmayer, J.M. & Schäpke, N., Lawrence, M.G., Loorbach, D. (2024): Institutionalisation of Transdisciplinarity in Research Organisations – A Review of Key Dimensions. DIT Discussion paper, Erasmus University Rotterdam.
• Ives, C., Schäpke, N., Woiwode, C. & Wamsler, C. (2023): IMAGINE sustainability: integrated inner-outer transformation in research, education and practice. In: Sustainability Science, 1-10.
• Mar, K., Schäpke, N., Fraude, C., Bruhn, T., Wamsler, C., Stasiak, D., Schröder, H. & Lawrence, M. (2023): Learning and community building in support of collective action: towards a new climate of communication at the COP. In: WIRES Climate Change
• Schäpke, N., Beyers, F., Fraude, C., Mar, K.A., Schroeder, H., Voggenreiter, V., Herzog, N., Wamsler, C., Bruhn, T. & Lawrence, M.G. (2023): Research and practice to scale co-creation and reflection: How can we strengthen a relational culture of communication for climate action at COP28 in Dubai? – RIFS Discussion Paper, November 2023.
• McCrory, G., Holmén, J., Schäpke, N. & Holmberg, J. (2022): Taking sustainability seriously: an empirical typology of sustainability-oriented labs. In: Environmental Innovation and Societal Transitions 43, pp. 99-117
• Schäpke, N. & Beecroft, R. (2022) From Control to Co-production: Eight Steps to Monitor, Evaluate, and Adapt Participatory Experiments. In: Social Innovations Journal, 15
• Fraude, C., Bruhn, T., Stasiak, D., Wamsler, C., Mar, K., Schäpke, N., Schroeder, H. & Lawrence, M. (2021): Creating space for reflection and dialogue: In search of new modes of communication for enabling climate action. In: GAIA-Ecological Perspectives for Science and Society, 30 (3), 174-180
• Woiwode, C., Schäpke, N., Bina, O., Veciana, S., Kunze, I., Parodi, O., … & Wamsler, C. (2021): Inner transformation to sustainability as a deep leverage point: fostering new avenues for change through dialogue and reflection. In: Sustainability Science, 1-18.
• Bergmann, M., Schäpke, N., Marg, O., Stelzer, F. & Lang, D.J. et al. (2021): Transdisciplinary Sustainability Research in Real-World Labs – Success Factors and Methods for Change. In: Sustainability Science
• Caniglia, G., Luederitz, C., von Wirth, T., Fazey, I., Martin-López, B., Hondrila, K., König, A., von Wehrden, H., Schäpke, N., Laubichler, M.D. & Lang, D.J. (2021): A pluralistic and integrated approach to action-oriented knowledge for sustainability. In: Nature Sustainability, 4(2), pp. 93–100
• Wamsler, C., Schäpke, N., Fraude, C., Stasiak, D., Bruhn, T., Lawrence, M. … & Mundaca, L. (2020): Enabling new mindsets and transformative skills for negotiating and activating climate action: Lessons from UNFCCC conferences of the parties. In: Environmental Science and Policy, 112, 227-235.
• McCrory, G., Schäpke, N., Holmén, J. & Holmberg, J. (2020): Sustainability-oriented labs in real-world contexts: An exploratory review. In: Journal of Cleaner Production, 123202.
• Fazey, I., Schäpke, N., Caniglia, G., Hodgson, A., Kendrick, I., Lyon, C., Page, G., Patterson, J., Riedy, C., Strasser, T. & Verveen, S. et al. (2020): Transforming knowledge systems for life on Earth: Visions of future systems and how to get there. In: Energy research & social science, 70, 101724.

Contact person

Dr. Niko Schäpke

• niko.schaepke@ifp.uni-freiburg.de

More on this person