The background to the working group "Social-Ecological Transformation" is that addressing the challenges associated with climate change and the goal of sustainable development requires a social-ecological transformation. To support this transition through research, the Network Social-Ecological Transformation was formed in 2016.
The aim of the CCCA working group that has since emerged from this is to initiate and conduct empirical-analytical and normative-strategic research in order to contribute to shaping the transformation of society that lies ahead, as well as to build a bridge between research and implementation and thus act in a transformative way. The working group also aims to discuss the role of science in Austria, the independence of science, and the understanding of science and research in politics. In the field of transformation research, this role needs to be redefined and made explicitly transparent.
Leadership: Marianne Penker marianne.penker@boku.ac.at & Ulrich Brand ulrich.brand@univie.ac.at
If you have any questions about the working group, planned events, or if you'd like to be added to the working group's mailing list, please get in touch with Paul Mühlleitner: paul.muehlleitner@univie.ac.at
Events 2025
- 20 March 2025, 13:30 – 16:30, Sky Lounge, University of Vienna
Perspectives on Research Assessments – Between Self-Preoccupation and Opportunity for Social-Ecological TransformationHow do research assessments support or hinder transformative and transdisciplinary research
and teaching
- 5 November 2025: Alliance Sustainable Universities Lunch: Sustainability Strategy of the FWF, online
At the Alliance lunch, Christof Gattringer will present the FWF's sustainability strategy. The focus will be on challenges and strategies in implementing sustainability in academic practice from the perspective of funders. Following an introductory input, all participants will have the opportunity to ask questions and join the discussion.
Please register at: https://www.termino.gv.at/meet/b/c0dfc5f84834064adc660600acd4b4c9-485093
Events 2024
- 19 March 2024, 15:00 - 18:00, Aula am Campus, University of Vienna / hybrid: Transformative Research Projects/Programmes (cross-organisational exchange, with Thomas Jahn, as well as experience reports from ACRP, FWF, and ÖAW)
- How do I write a transformative research proposal?
- How can programme managers, advisory board/jury members, and evaluators identify the quality of transformative research?
Invitation
- 10 June 2024, 16:00 – 18:00, BOKU: Teaching Competencies in Transformative Research – Cross-University Exchange
- What transformative research competencies, skills, expertise, attitudes, and methods do we teach in our courses/modules/study programmes?
- How do we design the teaching and learning process?
- What resources do we draw on – what resources can we build together? (e.g.: APCC SR 22 Structures for a Climate-Friendly Life).
For any queries, please contact: jakob.scherer@univie.ac.at
The following activities have already taken place within the working group:
- Semester meeting and workshop on theoretical models of social-ecological transformation with Karl-Werner Brand (06.06.2023).
- Workshop on social-ecological assessment criteria for research with Anna Schinwald, Thomas Jahn, and Simone Gingrich (IPW conference room in the New Institute Building of the University of Vienna (28.04.2023).
- Keynote presentations and discussion on extended quality criteria and impact measurement (5 December 2022).
- Networking meeting on developments in Austrian transformation research (16 May 2022).
- Completion and publication of the Memorandum on Transformation Research.
- Participation in the 20th Austrian Climate Day on 25.04.2019 at BOKU in Vienna.
- Participation in the Growth in Transition conference in November 2018.
- A workshop with representatives from politics, public administration, and civil society in the first half of 2018 on the topic of social-ecological transformation.
- Participation in the 19th Austrian Climate Day from 23–25.04 in Salzburg and at the BOKU Sustainability Day on 26.04.2018.