Towards a sustainable science system

The climate crisis calls for a fundamental reorientation of how we conduct science. The traditional approach to research—characterized by disciplinary specialization, competition among consortia, and the fragmentation of knowledge—falls short when it comes to addressing complex transition challenges. Science often lags behind what is already happening in practice, or it struggles to come up with solutions that offer people practical pathways for action. To make just climate transitions a reality, we must build a new scientific practice that is sustainable and that prioritizes collaboration among different actors, values diverse forms of knowledge, and fully embraces and effectively facilitates transition thinking.

Within the “Science in Transition” program line, KIN seeks to stimulate a new scientific practice by conducting research into new ways of collaborating, funding, and conducting research. We also examine methods and processes that facilitate dialogue between science and practice so that transformative solutions can emerge, as well as a research practice that is transdisciplinary, action-oriented, and sustainable.

Transdisciplinary Collaboration

Transdisciplinary collaboration is at the heart of this innovation. By connecting scientific knowledge, practical knowledge, indigenous knowledge, and/or cultural knowledge, innovative insights emerge that are immediately applicable. This integrative approach breaks through the paralysis that often arises when complexity leads to stagnation, or the pitfall of treating symptoms through excessive simplification and constant optimization.

Transformative Research Practice

To achieve a truly transformative research practice that fully embraces transition thinking, more is needed. First, a different way of working: transdisciplinary, transformative, and action-oriented research that dares to break with existing paradigms. Moving away from merely optimizing within existing systems toward fundamentally questioning those systems themselves. This means experimenting and learning in and with practice, where the endpoint is not clear in advance and daring to explore possible solutions is part of the discovery process. Second, it is important for researchers to critically examine their own research practices and disciplines. How sustainable are our research methods? To what extent do certain disciplines perpetuate existing unsustainability or even legitimize it? Consider research into algorithms that encourage overconsumption, or technologies that enable the further depletion of the Earth’s raw materials. Science must undergo a transition itself in order to contribute effectively to urgent societal challenges.

Shared Responsibility and Acceleration

This transition of the science system is a shared responsibility of research institutions, researchers, funders, governments, and societal partners. By connecting initiatives and fostering collaboration, we prevent fragmentation and increase our impact. The urgency of climate transitions demands this acceleration—not only in our research results but also in the way we arrive at those results.