Koen P.R. Bartels - Böcker

Today’s pressing political, social, economic, and environmental crises urgently ask for effective policy responses and fundamental transitions towards sustainability supported by a sound knowledge base and developed in collaboration between all stakeholders. This book explores how action research forms a valuable methodology for producing such collaborative knowledge and action. It outlines the recent uptake of action research in policy analysis and transition research and develops a distinct and novel approach 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.This text will be of key interest to scholars and students of policy analysis and transition research and more broadly to public administration and policy, urban and regional studies, political science, research and innovation, sustainability science, and science and technology studies. It will also speak to practitioners, policymakers and philanthropic funders aiming to engage in or fund action research.

This groundbreaking book issues an urgent call to confront the global social and ecological crises that are destabilizing societies everywhere. Business as usual in social science and governance is no longer sustainable. A Call to Action Research urges academic researchers, citizens, third sector workers, public officials, and businesspeople to join forces for global social justice and ecological sustainability.Expert action researchers Davydd J. Greenwood, Johan E. Ravn, and Koen P.R. Bartels demonstrate how action research and solidary social action can lead to a sustainable, just, and democratic future. They shed light on the scope and promise of action research, exposing how and why current higher education and political-economic systems are incapable of providing solutions to our global crises. Chapters provide an overview of how diverse approaches to action research can be used to confront ecological collapse, harmful capitalism, social inequalities and ill-equipped governance. The book uniquely covers a wide range of frameworks and methods necessary for the practice of action research, illuminated by many case studies from across the globe.This book offers a timely appeal and concrete guidance to tackle our collective crises. Scholars and students from across the social sciences will learn how to do action research in collaboration with diverse participants. It is also a valuable resource for policymakers and government, third sector, and business practitioners committed to sustainability, social justice, and democracy.

Today’s pressing political, social, economic, and environmental crises urgently ask for effective policy responses and fundamental transitions towards sustainability supported by a sound knowledge base and developed in collaboration between all stakeholders. This book explores how action research forms a valuable methodology for producing such collaborative knowledge and action. It outlines the recent uptake of action research in policy analysis and transition research and develops a distinct and novel approach 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.This text will be of key interest to scholars and students of policy analysis and transition research and more broadly to public administration and policy, urban and regional studies, political science, research and innovation, sustainability science, and science and technology studies. It will also speak to practitioners, policymakers and philanthropic funders aiming to engage in or fund action research.