In this session we start from how the current form of global capitalism became ecologically and socially unsustainable. We examine how so much depends on a shift in human values. Human values can change; they are not natural laws. This session debates this value change. In society as a whole and in institucional settings in particular. The gateway to this debate is through the role of learning, the process through which information becomes knowledge. In fact the creation of knowledge in social networks is a key characteristic of the dynamics of culture. In the face of climate change challenges, and to thrive under conditions of accelerating change you have to be learning all the time. We look into how this is affected by the emergence of alt-knowledge and post-truth politics. We critically examine how knowledge brokerage is a fundamental part in helping public policy play a much needed role in shaping the directionality of sustainability transitions. 

This session is an introduction to Transition Studies as the Theory of Change underpinning the ACOT's module approach. The core assumptions, concepts, analytical and methodological frameworks used are presented as well as an overview of the strengths and weaknesses of this conceptual approach. Particular attention is given to the concepts of prospective path dependency, transition pathways and lock-in mechanisms. 

Reading List

This session breaks down a series of key concepts regarding the framing of public action and climate change. It addresses the need for a systemic view, what this means and how can we develop it. It also introduces climate action as a complex adaptive system that is peppered with the so called wicked problems, or super wicked problems. The session wraps up focusing on the changing nature of the future and how can we better positions ourselves to debate it. 

Reading List

Coyne, R. (2005). Wicked problems revisited. Design studies, 26(1), 5-17.

Head, B. W., & Alford, J. (2015). Wicked problems: Implications for public policy and management. Administration & society, 47(6), 711-739.

Levin, K., Cashore, B., Bernstein, S., & Auld, G. (2009). Playing it forward: Path dependency, progressive incrementalism, and the" Super Wicked" problem of global climate change. In IOP Conference Series. Earth and Environmental Science (Vol. 6, No. 50). IOP Publishing.

Levin, K., Cashore, B., Bernstein, S., & Auld, G. (2012). Overcoming the tragedy of super wicked problems: constraining our future selves to ameliorate global climate change. Policy sciences, 45, 123-152.

Lönngren, J., & Van Poeck, K. (2021). Wicked problems: A mapping review of the literature. International Journal of Sustainable Development & World Ecology, 28(6), 481-502.

Peters, B. G. (2017). What is so wicked about wicked problems? A conceptual analysis and a research program. Policy and Society, 36(3), 385-396.

Kay, A. (2005). A critique of the use of path dependency in policy studies. Public administration, 83(3), 553-571.

Mahoney, J. (2000). Path dependence in historical sociology. Theory and society, 29(4), 507-548. 

Monat, J. P., & Gannon, T. F. (2015). What is systems thinking? A review of selected literature plus recommendations. American Journal of Systems Science, 4(1), 11-26.

Peters, B. G., Pierre, J., & King, D. S. (2005). The politics of path dependency: Political conflict in historical institutionalism. The journal of politics, 67(4), 1275-1300.

Peters, B. G. (2017). What is so wicked about wicked problems? A conceptual analysis and a research program. Policy and Society, 36(3), 385-396.

Rittel, H. W., & Webber, M. M. (1974). Wicked problems. Man-made Futures, 26(1), 272-280.

Williams, A., Kennedy, S., Philipp, F., & Whiteman, G. (2017). Systems thinking: A review of sustainability management research. Journal of Cleaner Production, 148, 866-881.

This session is parte of the Key territorial challenges that make up the first part of the ACOT Module. 

In this session we take a systemic view to the un-sustainability of the current global agroforestry through the lens of the evolution of global food production and consumption dynamics and its current key challenges. 

Reading List

In this session we address Urbanization as one of the five key global territorial challenges that provide the contextual framework for ACOT. We stress a systemic perspective on how urbanization and sustainability intertwine at multiple level through the example of a growingly scarce resource worldwide - sand. 

Reading List