Transdisciplinary sustainability research in real-world labs: success factors and methods for change
Journal article, 2021
The transdisciplinary research mode has gained prominence in the research on and for sustainability transformations. Yet, solution-oriented research addressing complex sustainability problems has become complex itself, with new transdisciplinary research formats being developed and tested for this purpose. Application of new formats offers learning potentials from experience. To this end, we accompanied fourteen research projects conceptualized as real-world labs (RwLs) from 2015 to 2018. RwLs were part of a funding program on ‘Science for Sustainability’ in the German federal state of Baden-Württemberg. Here, we combine conceptual and empirical work to a structured collection of experiences and provide a comprehensive account of RwLs. First, we outline characteristics of RwLs as transformation oriented, transdisciplinary research approach, using experiments, enabling learning and having a long-term orientation. Second, we outline eleven success factors and concrete design notes we gained through a survey of the 14 RwLs: (1) find the right balance between scientific and societal aims, (2) address the practitioners needs and restrictions, (3) make use of the experimentation concept, (4) actively communicate, (5) develop a ‘collaboration culture’, (6) be attached to concrete sites, (7) create lasting impact and transferability, (8) plan for sufficient time and financial means, (9) adaptability, (10) research-based learning, and (11) recognize dependency on external actors. Characteristics and success factors are combined to illustrate practical challenges in RwLs. Third, we show which methods could be used to cope with challenges in RwLs. We conclude discussing the state of debate on RwLs and outline future avenues of research.
Transformative research
Transdisciplinarity
Methods
Real-world lab
Sustainability transitions
Success factors
Author
Matthias Bergmann
Leuphana University of Lüneburg
Institute for Social-Ecological Research (ISOE)
Niko Alexander Schäpke
University of Freiburg
Chalmers, Space, Earth and Environment, Physical Resource Theory
Oskar Marg
Institute for Social-Ecological Research (ISOE)
Franziska Stelzer
Wuppertal Institute for Climate, Environment and Energy
Daniel J. Lang
Leuphana University of Lüneburg
Michael Bossert
Concordia University
Marius Gantert
TELEINTERNETCAFE Architektur Und Urbanismus
Elke Häußler
Karlsruhe University of Applied Sciences
Editha Marquardt
German University of Administrative Sciences Speyer
Felix M. Piontek
University of Ulm
Thomas Potthast
University of Tübingen
Regina Rhodius
University of Freiburg
Matthias Rudolph
State Academy of Art and Design
Michael Ruddat
University of Stuttgart
Andreas Seebacher
Karlsruhe Institute of Technology (KIT)
Nico Sußmann
Heilbronn University
Sustainability Science
1862-4065 (ISSN) 1862-4057 (eISSN)
Vol. 16 2 541-564Subject Categories
Software Engineering
Information Science
Information Systemes, Social aspects
DOI
10.1007/s11625-020-00886-8