Increasing the Impact of Sustainability Research—A New Methodology

Abstract

Making progress with implementing sustainability is vital to securing a safe future. It is no exaggeration to state that failure to address our current deeply unsustainable way-of-life is a threat to the continuation of civilisation. It is evident that sustainability is vital, but how to deliver sustainable outcomes is far from clear. The sustainability research agenda could not be more important. In this paper it is argued that the significance of fully understanding sustainability, and the urgency of implementing such knowledge, require developing new research methodology—or adjusting existing methodology—in order to match the challenge. The research community are encouraged to embrace an active role which is above and beyond neutral observer, to become actively engaged as a catalyst for change. Instead of considering possible impacts after the research is complete, desired sustainable outcomes should be incorporated from the outset, and drive the research process.