As researchers increasingly seek a catalytic role in progress towards social-ecological equity, well-being, and sustainability, this special feature offers a critical exploration of the interface between ideas, thinking, concepts, theories - and practice. There is a well-developed conceptual and theoretical literature in sustainability science, supported by established principles and methodologies. Yet in this field there is less critical engagement with the practical realities of undertaking rigorous, conceptually grounded research, particularly in the developing country contexts of the Global South.
The special feature is initiated from a multi-country African research project: Unlocking resilient benefits from African water resources, undertaken in Ethiopia, Senegal, Nigeria, Uganda, Rwanda, Tanzania and South Africa. The core concepts of complex social-ecological systems, transdisciplinarity, transformative social learning, and epistemic justice were used to inform the development of the Adaptive Systemic Approach – a flexible sequence of conceptually consonant activities, undertaken with conscious attention to epistemic justice (fairness in respect of knowing).
Freshwater is one of the critical planetary sustainability boundaries. The ways humans engage with freshwater ecosystems, processes and associated landscapes are shaping future qualities of life. Africa, and other Global South contexts, offer contexts where the familiar challenges of inequitable freshwater access abound, along with simultaneous opportunities for alternative development pathways. Applying the Adaptive Systemic Approach to complex water resources challenges across seven African countries uncovered three pivotal practical factors that influence the likelihood of research processes catalysing transformation towards equity and sustainability. These are: i) recognizing the reality and depth of the divide between the natural and social sciences, and the practical challenge of bridging this even with a commitment to transdisciplinarity; ii) the practical scaffolding offered by a conceptually coherent and flexible set of research and stakeholder engagement activities; and iii) the critical importance of “how” activities that engage stakeholders and actors are undertaken – probing the roles of facilitation that is attentive to epistemic justice and participatory monitoring and evaluation, with reflexive learning.
We have a suite of contributions to the special feature that explore research practice and scholarship through applying the Adaptive Systemic Approach in Africa, and welcome contributions that add practical reality perspectives to the depth, rigour and efficacy of transdisciplinary sustainability science research.
