Abstract
An overarching research model is introduced here that can support research for turning sustainable development (SD) from theory into practice. The model describes how existing and future theories, and empirical knowledge related to SD can be utilised to establish explicit linkages—steps—between fundamental SD principles and specific studied practices. The research model is intended to support planning, design and communication of a range of research endeavours such as individual studies, larger projects and research programmes. It internalises a number of insights from the current stock of SD literature such as explicitly linking local solutions to general SD principles, the need to embrace complexity and to use theory, the need for interdisciplinarity, and acknowledging SD as both substance and process. The model and its utilisation are explained and illustrated here by reference to a research example from river basin planning. The model is a critical and constructive attempt to establish structure and strategy in relation to the overwhelming complexity of the sustainability challenge—a challenge which urgently calls for reflective and effective research approaches.
Highlights
The stock of research engaged with sustainable development (SD) is broad, heterogeneous and steadily growing
Examples of studies that focus on linking SD principles and SD theory to specific practices exist within fields such as adaptive management, ecological economics, integrated approaches to SD, and transition management
STEP stems from my own previous work dealing with the blurry and endlessly questioned concept of SD in the field of river basin planning
Summary
The stock of research engaged with sustainable development (SD) is broad, heterogeneous and steadily growing. An SD framework can be developed or utilised in a study by a theory-based approach, which uses a theoretical basis for its study design, or by a practice-based approach, which builds on empirics These concepts are defined, explained and related to each other in the following step-wise elaboration of the model and the model illustration When it comes to developing a specific practice, as in a research and development project, the use of transdisciplinary research designs is often needed Such studies combine theory-based and practice-based approaches, and allow theoretical and contextual knowledge to interact directly in a dynamic but structured research process revolving around the SD framework. Another gap is the lack of studies using comprehensive theory-based approaches
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