What social transformation policies and processes are required for sustainability transitions? And what can action research experiences tell us about ambitions, challenges, and practices for these transitions? We are happy to share that two key books co-edited by Julia Wittmayer that go into answering these questions are now available as paperbacks. More affordable, more accessible, more ‘Mayer!
Our 2018 book ‘Social Innovation and Sustainable Consumption: Research and Action for Societal Transformation’ originated from a collaboration between the Sustainable Consumption Research and Action Initiative (SCORAI) and DRIFTs research on transformative social innovation in the TRANSIT project. A workshop held in 2015 brought together researchers working at the interfaces of sustainable consumption, social innovation and societal transformations. They include conceptual contributions significant for practice and policy, critical reflections and commentaries on the contribution of social innovation to societal transformation as well as detailed case studies of social innovation in energy, food, housing and policy. These contributions are more topical than ever.
Backhaus, J., Genus, A., Lorek, S., Vadovics, E., J.M. Wittmayer (eds.) (2018) Social Innovation and Sustainable Consumption: Research and Action for Societal Transformation. Routledge: London
Our 2018 book ‘Action Research in Policy Analysis: Critical and Relational Approaches to Sustainability Transitions’ is also testimony to a long collaboration between researchers in (interpretative) policy analysis and sustainability transition research. Starting in 2012, the editors organized regular conference sessions and panels to bring researchers into contact who were exploring action-oriented research approaches. The book bears the fruits of this collaboration and develops a distinct and novel approach of action research – one that is both critical and relational. By sharing action research experiences in a variety of settings, the book seeks to explicate ambitions, challenges, and practices involved with fostering policy changes and sustainability transitions. As such it provides crucial guidance and encouragement for future action research in policy analysis and transition research. It has sparked much follow up of an increasing community, lately with a session at the 2020 Symposium of the International Journal of Action Research.
Bartels, K. and J.M. Wittmayer (eds.) (2018) Action Research in Policy Analysis: Critical and Relational Approaches to Sustainability Transitions. Routledge: Oxfordshire
Click on the book cover for more details or get into touch with Julia Wittmayer.
This is a companion discussion topic for the original entry at https://drift.eur.nl/paperbacks-available-social-innovation-and-sustainable-consumption-and-action-research-in-policy-analysis/