Learning from sticky variables in cross-case analyses of collaboration in social-ecological systems

Ecosystems and People, Год журнала: 2023, Номер 19(1)

Опубликована: Март 19, 2023

The importance of collaborative approaches to governing social-ecological systems (SES) towards more transformative outcomes is now widely acknowledged. Theoretical and meth- odological frameworks enable such collaborations are being developed across a range disciplines. Transdisciplinary emerging as key enabler potentially trans- formative in SES, particularly where these characterized by 'multiple multi- ples' (e.g. multiple scales, knowledge systems, etc.). A typical approach studying complex initiatives contexts comparative case study research, often relying on researchers embedded cases. In this approach, qualitative studies coded using predetermined variables (based ecological, social, features cases) comparison cross-case analysis. our experience, the process coding cases into quantitative analysis framework can be hampered what we term 'sticky variables', i.e. which difficult code for reasons related aspects intrinsic complexity systems. Based from geographic locations Global North South, identify sticky variables, elucidate their 'stickiness'. We propose several ways working with learning reflect theoretical, methodological reflexive transdisciplinary research collaborations. Moreover, suggest that might 'flags' interesting underlying factors influence collaboration. conclude drawing out recommendations practitioners confronted complexities nuances around world.

Язык: Английский

---

Ecosystem services in postsecondary and professional education: an overview of programs and courses

Ecosystems and People, Год журнала: 2023, Номер 19(1)

Опубликована: Апрель 26, 2023

Postsecondary and informal professional educational opportunities have increasingly become an important mode of supporting the understanding, dissemination, application ecosystem services (ES). The development activities group characteristics (e.g. a shared vocabulary, common objectives, dedication time) together with teaching education are instrumental for institutionalization new ideas, concepts, disciplines in society. Integrating ES into postsecondary can help us to understand complex human-environment interactions shape policy towards greater socio-ecological sustainability. This study analyzes current status ES-related programs courses offered at levels around world. We collected data English on these mid-2020 using Internet searches, crowdsourcing techniques, personal knowledge discovered 20 degree-granting 112 focused or related ES. Our analyses suggest that most is uncoordinated aimed graduate students (master's doctorate level), but also interdisciplinary emphasis as plural concept. argue continued evolution depends concept's integration more attention should be paid modes sharing building. analysis adds understanding available formal learning about provides lens by which we envision pathways increasing reach effectiveness training.

Язык: Английский

---

Analysis of sub-national variation in global development goals to inform locally relevant sustainable development

Environment Development and Sustainability, Год журнала: 2023, Номер unknown

Опубликована: Окт. 6, 2023

Язык: Английский

---

Sustainability Transitions in German Livestock Farming: The Role of Innovations, Incumbents, and Imagined Futures

Опубликована: Янв. 1, 2023

Environmental degradation, climate change, and issues of social justice highlight the need to develop transition more sustainable modes production, consumption, living. Livestock farming in Germany is a sector that concerned transition, being characterized by multitude socio-ecological both discursive legislative pressure change. While this marked persistent mechanisms culture practices, bioeconomic innovation actors are developing innovations may contribute sustainability-oriented transitions sector. This context presents possibility observe making. Against backdrop, dissertation, I aim at understanding mechanisms, actors, processes currently unfolding livestock focus on innovations, incumbents, imagined futures. operationalize via four complementary qualitative case studies, focusing (i) contesting imaginations manure futures how these shape trajectories farming, (ii) role contributing toward (iii) as shaped technological fixes, last, (iv) farmers incumbents embedded existing regime their in/ability drive institutional changes. My empirical results show three different transitions, namely preservation, modernization, transformation. These Bioeconomic intensive system imaginaries follow classical paradigms, have rather low ability reconfiguring beyond actor-technology configurations. On contrary, they accompanied expectations, attract capital investments, which pose risk “colonizing” future through sunken costs extra-semiotic inscription material physical infrastructures. Farmers very stable systems, externalize locale experience agency for Transitions thus mainly visible changes configuration result adoption driven exogenous such NGOs political-legislative (e.g., EU’s nitrate directive German fertilizer ordinance) semiotic space. lack capacity imagine real alternatives navigate themselves. In addition results, my dissertation elucidates important sustainability transitions. Imagined not only provide spirit but also same time diagnosis present problem(s) individuals collectives regard Without alternative futures, reconfigure limited. Actors with material-semiotic relationships often reductionist problem frames issues, while complex frames. order be able act purposefully despite complexity uncertainty, relations rely frames, established inscribed forms change or conceptions no Relying cognitive path dependencies colonization future. The underlying underscores avoid phenomena appearing, it great importance integrate actors’ views problems, e.g., means transdisciplinary research projects. Here, can discuss normative orientations, conflicting views, meaningful current system. support new design implemented, could help navigating experiencing moment Based synthesis theoretical contributions research, sketches avenues an in-depth govern these. conclude systems allow exchange knowledge contacts bring perspectives systems. achieve these, genuine limited because, without cultural imaginative input, will merely reproduce itself. processes, must treated arena imaginations, ontologies, transformative imaginations. To reproducing reinforcing power hegemonies structure deliberative challenged adaptive plural accordingly just transformations beyond.

Язык: Английский

---

Practical causal knowledge for sustainability: Implications of co-production for a philosophical understanding of causality in sustainability science

Опубликована: Ноя. 16, 2023

Participatory and collaborative processes of co-production in sustainability science combineknowledge generation action, take place within the situations addressed by policies orinterventions, stimulate mutual learning through inter- transdisciplinary methodologies.In this Chapter, we introduce notion practical causal knowledge for sustainability. Usingexamples from participatory modelling, highlight that generated coproductionin can be both practical. It is as it allows forunderstanding complex dynamics underpinning problems potentialsolutions ways are sensitive to context, comprehensive, inclusive. bothbecause emerges because oriented towards activities performed bydiverse scientific non-scientific actors specific understand addresscomplex problems. We argue an appropriate philosophical account practicalcausal requires major shifts existing accounts of‘causal use action’, tailored fields not andcollaborative. conclude arguing does notaim predict control change, but help navigate find orientationwithin irreducibly situations.

Язык: Английский

---