Ten essentials for action-oriented and second order energy transitions, transformations and climate change research

Transformative spaces in the making: key lessons from nine cases in the Global South

“…Greater political equity and inclusion of diverse stakeholders in co-constructing new knowledges, and opening up dialogues for change are imperative for finding ways forward (Scoones et al 2018). With this comes an urgent need for researchers to engage seriously with the critical question of how to contribute to making transformative change happen (Fazey et al 2018). Many alternative forms of research that are democratic, inclusive, action-oriented and integrate different forms of knowledge have emerged over the last three decades, including mode 2, transdisciplinarity, post-normal, participatory, sustainability science and action research, but these are not necessarily focused on facilitating transformative changes to achieve a more sustainable and just future (Fazey et al 2018).…”

“…With this comes an urgent need for researchers to engage seriously with the critical question of how to contribute to making transformative change happen (Fazey et al 2018). Many alternative forms of research that are democratic, inclusive, action-oriented and integrate different forms of knowledge have emerged over the last three decades, including mode 2, transdisciplinarity, post-normal, participatory, sustainability science and action research, but these are not necessarily focused on facilitating transformative changes to achieve a more sustainable and just future (Fazey et al 2018). New transdisciplinary processes for initiating and supporting transformative change will need to build on and include existing practices such as experimentation in public engagement, multi-stakeholder dialogues and knowledge co-production strategies that generate inclusive systemic solutions.…”

Expanding the contribution of the social sciences to social-ecological resilience research

“…It also entails disciplines "to reimagine themselves, their methods, and their 'worlds' if they are to work productively in the twenty-first century where social relations appear increasingly complex, elusive, ephemeral, and unpredictable" (Law and Urry 2004 in reference to the social sciences). Underpinning reflexive transdisciplinary approaches are collective processes of problem framing and solutions, interrogation of normative assumptions, pluralism, experimentation, and learning (Fazey et al 2018). Exploring such approaches in the field of social-ecological resilience, alongside other modes of knowledge exchange and collaboration, can contribute to making social-ecological resilience robust as a theoretical construct, useful in informing effective and appropriate management tools and approaches, and effective in bringing positive outcomes for both ecosystems and the people that inhabit them.…”

“…Over the past decade, the field has taken a "social turn" (Brown 2013) as resilience researchers broadened their theoretical and methodological lens to incorporate insights and approaches from a wide range of non-natural science disciplines: from the social and behavioral sciences (e.g., sociology, anthropology, human geography, economics, psychology) to closely aligned interdisciplinary fields (e.g., sustainability sciences, global environmental change sciences, environmental education, architecture, planning, law) and, to some extent, the humanities (e.g., literature, philosophy, religion, arts, and music). The field also has widened its concept of what are credible knowledge practices, expanding from a positivist tradition of scientific inquiry to interpretive and participatory modes of research (e.g., Fazey et al 2018). This crossdisciplinary engagement has gained momentum over the years, as evidenced in the expansion in number and scope of integrative work presented at the Resilience conferences since 2008 (see Bousquet et al 2016) and related publications.…”

How can the social sciences work with ecology in informing feral horse policy and management in south‐eastern Australia?

“…As Ostrom (2009), in her discussion of social-ecological systems states, 'the ecological and social sciences have developed independently and do not combine easily'. Moreover, while guidance is available, research which is aimed at engendering change meets resistance from a variety of sources, and change is hard to effect and requires substantial commitment (Fazey et al 2018). There may be great benefit in the development of collaborative efforts to effectively address feral horse management problems and in gathering and mobilising processes from different disciplines; however, it will take time, resources, work, willingness, perseverance, kindness and patience.…”