Research

Habilitation project

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.

Dissertation project

Agricultural policy and the destabilization of socio-technical regimes

Studies on the governance of sustainability transformations often focus on innovation, in line with the general orientation of transformation research. However, the possible consequences of the persistence of existing socio-technical regimes for sustainable change in various sectors, as well as possible measures to destabilize them (e.g., through exnovation or phase-out measures), have received significantly less scientific and political attention to date. However, these factors can sometimes be just as important for the success of the politically desired change as innovations, as demonstrated by the example of the nuclear phase-out in Germany. In his dissertation project, Leonard Frank examines the extent to which concepts and approaches for destabilizing existing socio-technical regimes in agriculture are taken into account in the reformulation of European agricultural policy and what this says about the chances of realizing the promised agricultural transition.