This page has only limited features, please log in for full access.
An increasing number of voices highlight the need for science itself to transform and to engage in the co-production of knowledge and action, in order to enable the fundamental transformations needed to advance towards sustainable futures. But how can global sustainability-oriented research networks engage in co-production of knowledge and action? The present article introduces a strategic tool called the ‘network compass’ which highlights four generic, interrelated fields of action through which networks can strive to foster co-production. It is based on the networks’ particular functions and how these can be engaged for co-production processes. This tool aims to foster self-reflection and learning within and between networks in the process of (re)developing strategies and activity plans and effectively contributing to sustainability transformations.
Flurina Schneider; Theresa Tribaldos; Carolina Adler; Reinette (Oonsie) Biggs; Ariane de Bremond; Tobias Buser; Cornelia Krug; Marie-France Loutre; Sarah Moore; Albert V Norström; Katsia Paulavets; Davnah Urbach; Eva Spehn; Gabriela Wülser; Ruben Zondervan. Co-production of knowledge and sustainability transformations: a strategic compass for global research networks. Current Opinion in Environmental Sustainability 2021, 49, 127 -142.
AMA StyleFlurina Schneider, Theresa Tribaldos, Carolina Adler, Reinette (Oonsie) Biggs, Ariane de Bremond, Tobias Buser, Cornelia Krug, Marie-France Loutre, Sarah Moore, Albert V Norström, Katsia Paulavets, Davnah Urbach, Eva Spehn, Gabriela Wülser, Ruben Zondervan. Co-production of knowledge and sustainability transformations: a strategic compass for global research networks. Current Opinion in Environmental Sustainability. 2021; 49 ():127-142.
Chicago/Turabian StyleFlurina Schneider; Theresa Tribaldos; Carolina Adler; Reinette (Oonsie) Biggs; Ariane de Bremond; Tobias Buser; Cornelia Krug; Marie-France Loutre; Sarah Moore; Albert V Norström; Katsia Paulavets; Davnah Urbach; Eva Spehn; Gabriela Wülser; Ruben Zondervan. 2021. "Co-production of knowledge and sustainability transformations: a strategic compass for global research networks." Current Opinion in Environmental Sustainability 49, no. : 127-142.
Competition over land is at the core of many sustainable development challenges in Myanmar: villagers, companies, governments, ethnic minority groups, civil society organisations and non-governmental organisations from local to the international level claim access to and decision-making power over the use of land. Therefore, this article investigates the actor interactions influencing land-use changes and their impacts on the supply of ecosystem services and human well-being. We utilise a transdisciplinary mixed-methods approach and the analytical lens of the social-ecological systems framework. Results reveal that the links between land-use changes, ecosystem services and human well-being are multifaceted; For example ecosystem services can decline, while human well-being increases. We explain this finding through three different pathways to impact (changes in the resource systems, the governance systems or the broader social, economic and political context). We conclude with implications of these results for future sustainable land governance.
Flurina Schneider; Melanie Feurer; Lara Maria Lundsgaard-Hansen; Win Myint; Cing Don Nuam; Katharina Nydegger; Christoph Oberlack; Nwe Nwe Tun; Julie Gwendolin Zaehringer; Aung Myin Tun; Peter Messerli. Sustainable Development Under Competing Claims on Land: Three Pathways Between Land-Use Changes, Ecosystem Services and Human Well-Being. The European Journal of Development Research 2020, 32, 316 -337.
AMA StyleFlurina Schneider, Melanie Feurer, Lara Maria Lundsgaard-Hansen, Win Myint, Cing Don Nuam, Katharina Nydegger, Christoph Oberlack, Nwe Nwe Tun, Julie Gwendolin Zaehringer, Aung Myin Tun, Peter Messerli. Sustainable Development Under Competing Claims on Land: Three Pathways Between Land-Use Changes, Ecosystem Services and Human Well-Being. The European Journal of Development Research. 2020; 32 (2):316-337.
Chicago/Turabian StyleFlurina Schneider; Melanie Feurer; Lara Maria Lundsgaard-Hansen; Win Myint; Cing Don Nuam; Katharina Nydegger; Christoph Oberlack; Nwe Nwe Tun; Julie Gwendolin Zaehringer; Aung Myin Tun; Peter Messerli. 2020. "Sustainable Development Under Competing Claims on Land: Three Pathways Between Land-Use Changes, Ecosystem Services and Human Well-Being." The European Journal of Development Research 32, no. 2: 316-337.
Julie G. Zaehringer; Lara Lundsgaard-Hansen; Tun Tun Thein; Jorge C. Llopis; Nwe Nwe Tun; Win Myint; Flurina Schneider. The cash crop boom in southern Myanmar: tracing land use regime shifts through participatory mapping. Ecosystems and People 2020, 16, 36 -49.
AMA StyleJulie G. Zaehringer, Lara Lundsgaard-Hansen, Tun Tun Thein, Jorge C. Llopis, Nwe Nwe Tun, Win Myint, Flurina Schneider. The cash crop boom in southern Myanmar: tracing land use regime shifts through participatory mapping. Ecosystems and People. 2020; 16 (1):36-49.
Chicago/Turabian StyleJulie G. Zaehringer; Lara Lundsgaard-Hansen; Tun Tun Thein; Jorge C. Llopis; Nwe Nwe Tun; Win Myint; Flurina Schneider. 2020. "The cash crop boom in southern Myanmar: tracing land use regime shifts through participatory mapping." Ecosystems and People 16, no. 1: 36-49.
Tribaldos, T., C. Oberlack, and F. Schneider. 2020. Impact through participatory research approaches: an archetype analysis. Ecology and Society 25(3):15. https://doi.org/10.5751/ES-11517-250315
Theresa Tribaldos; Christoph Oberlack; Flurina Schneider. Impact through participatory research approaches: an archetype analysis. Ecology and Society 2020, 25, 1 .
AMA StyleTheresa Tribaldos, Christoph Oberlack, Flurina Schneider. Impact through participatory research approaches: an archetype analysis. Ecology and Society. 2020; 25 (3):1.
Chicago/Turabian StyleTheresa Tribaldos; Christoph Oberlack; Flurina Schneider. 2020. "Impact through participatory research approaches: an archetype analysis." Ecology and Society 25, no. 3: 1.
Transdisciplinary co-production of knowledge is widely credited with producing knowledge that can contribute to sustainability transformations, but there is little empirical evidence showing to what extent and through what mechanisms it is actually advancing sustainability. This article analyses how 31 transdisciplinary projects conceptualised the link between transdisciplinary co-production of knowledge and sustainability transformations, and as part of an institutional learning process explores what experiences projects garnered while implementing their theories of change. The research identified three generic conceptualisations of impact generation mechanisms: a) promoting systems, target, and transformation knowledge for more informed and equitable decision-making, b) fostering social learning for collective action, and c) enhancing competences for reflective leadership. It also identified seven different strategies through which the studied projects implemented these three generic mechanisms to induce sustainability transformations. Exploring potentials and limitations of the different mechanisms, the article concludes that the question is not which mechanisms or strategies are better than others, but in what situation and combination they might be most promising.
Flurina Schneider; Markus Giger; Nicole Harari; Stephanie Moser; Christoph Oberlack; Isabelle Providoli; Leonie Schmid; Theresa Tribaldos; Anne Zimmermann. Transdisciplinary co-production of knowledge and sustainability transformations: Three generic mechanisms of impact generation. Environmental Science & Policy 2019, 102, 26 -35.
AMA StyleFlurina Schneider, Markus Giger, Nicole Harari, Stephanie Moser, Christoph Oberlack, Isabelle Providoli, Leonie Schmid, Theresa Tribaldos, Anne Zimmermann. Transdisciplinary co-production of knowledge and sustainability transformations: Three generic mechanisms of impact generation. Environmental Science & Policy. 2019; 102 ():26-35.
Chicago/Turabian StyleFlurina Schneider; Markus Giger; Nicole Harari; Stephanie Moser; Christoph Oberlack; Isabelle Providoli; Leonie Schmid; Theresa Tribaldos; Anne Zimmermann. 2019. "Transdisciplinary co-production of knowledge and sustainability transformations: Three generic mechanisms of impact generation." Environmental Science & Policy 102, no. : 26-35.
Mountain farming systems rely on both empirical and academic knowledge. Their sustainability depends on how effectively diverse knowledge is used for solution-oriented decision making. For mountains, decisions must be conducive to rural farmers whose livelihoods depend on agriculture and related activities. Adopting transdisciplinary research approach, we define a composite Sustainability Space indicator that will help decision makers better understand the ingredients for sustainability, and formulate policy and management decisions to reinforce on-the-ground sustainability. Sustainability Space was derived through analysis of the positive and negative impact factors co-defined by community and disciplinary experts, and visualized through a radar diagram. We used Principal Component Analysis to understand relationships between factors. The results on Sustainability Spaces for eight cases of farming systems from the far-Eastern Himalayas indicated that the sustainability of farming systems is strengthened if decisions holistically cater to (i) geophysical pre-requisites, (ii) ecological foundations, (iii) integrated processes and practices, (iv) resources, knowledge, and value systems, (v) stakeholders’ development and economic aspirations, (vi) well-being of farming communities, and (vii) government support mechanisms. More equitable the attention to these seven components, the higher the sustainability of farming systems in this region could be.
Bandana Shakya; Anil Shrestha; Ghanashyam Sharma; Tulsi Gurung; Dollo Mihin; Shuo Yang; Amba Jamir; Soe Win; Xi Han; Yongping Yang; Dhrupad Choudhury; Flurina Schneider. Visualizing Sustainability of Selective Mountain Farming Systems from Far-eastern Himalayas to Support Decision Making. Sustainability 2019, 11, 1714 .
AMA StyleBandana Shakya, Anil Shrestha, Ghanashyam Sharma, Tulsi Gurung, Dollo Mihin, Shuo Yang, Amba Jamir, Soe Win, Xi Han, Yongping Yang, Dhrupad Choudhury, Flurina Schneider. Visualizing Sustainability of Selective Mountain Farming Systems from Far-eastern Himalayas to Support Decision Making. Sustainability. 2019; 11 (6):1714.
Chicago/Turabian StyleBandana Shakya; Anil Shrestha; Ghanashyam Sharma; Tulsi Gurung; Dollo Mihin; Shuo Yang; Amba Jamir; Soe Win; Xi Han; Yongping Yang; Dhrupad Choudhury; Flurina Schneider. 2019. "Visualizing Sustainability of Selective Mountain Farming Systems from Far-eastern Himalayas to Support Decision Making." Sustainability 11, no. 6: 1714.
Extensive land use changes in forest frontier landscapes are leading to trade-offs in the supply of ecosystem services (ES) with, in many cases, as yet unknown effects on human well-being. In the Tanintharyi Region of Myanmar, a forest frontier landscape facing oil palm and rubber expansion, little is known about local perspectives on ES and the direct impact of trade-offs from land use change. This study assessed the trade-offs experienced with respect to 10 locally important ES from land user perspectives using social valuation techniques. The results show that while intact forests provide the most highly valued ES bundle, the conversion to rubber plantations entails fewer negative trade-offs than that to oil palm. Rubber plantations offer income, fuelwood, a good microclimate, and even new cultural identities. By contrast, oil palm concessions have caused environmental pollution, and, most decisively, have restricted local people’s access to the respective lands. The ES water flow regulation is seen as the most critical if more forest is converted; other ES, such as non-timber forest products, can be more easily substituted. We conclude that, from local perspectives, the impact of ES trade-offs highly depends on access to land and opportunities to adapt to change.
Melanie Feurer; Andreas Heinimann; Flurina Schneider; Christine Jurt; Win Myint; Julie Gwendolin Zaehringer. Local Perspectives on Ecosystem Service Trade-Offs in a Forest Frontier Landscape in Myanmar. Land 2019, 8, 45 .
AMA StyleMelanie Feurer, Andreas Heinimann, Flurina Schneider, Christine Jurt, Win Myint, Julie Gwendolin Zaehringer. Local Perspectives on Ecosystem Service Trade-Offs in a Forest Frontier Landscape in Myanmar. Land. 2019; 8 (3):45.
Chicago/Turabian StyleMelanie Feurer; Andreas Heinimann; Flurina Schneider; Christine Jurt; Win Myint; Julie Gwendolin Zaehringer. 2019. "Local Perspectives on Ecosystem Service Trade-Offs in a Forest Frontier Landscape in Myanmar." Land 8, no. 3: 45.
The UN 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development stresses the fundamental role science should play in implementing the 17 Sustainable Development Goals endorsed by the global community. But how can and should researchers respond to this societal demand on science? We argue that answering this question requires systematic engagement with the fundamental normative dimensions of the 2030 Agenda and those of the scientific community—and with the implications these dimensions have for research and practice. We suggest that the production of knowledge relevant to sustainable development entails analytic engagement with norms and values through four tasks. First, to unravel and critically reflect on the ethical values involved in sustainability, values should increasingly become an empirical and theoretical object of sustainability research. Second, to ensure that research on social–ecological systems is related to sustainability values, researchers should reflect on and spell out what sustainability values guide their research, taking into account possible interdependencies, synergies, and trade-offs. Third, to find common ground on what sustainability means for specific situations, scientists should engage in deliberative learning processes with societal actors, with a view to jointly reflecting on existing development visions and creating new, contextualized ones. Fourth, this implies that researchers and scientific disciplines must clarify their own ethical and epistemic values, as this defines accountability and shapes identification of problems, research questions, and results. We believe that ignoring these tasks, whether one is in favor or critical of the 2030 Agenda, will undermine the credibility and relevance of scientific contributions for sustainable development.
Flurina Schneider; Andreas Kläy; Anne B. Zimmermann; Tobias Buser; Micah Ingalls; Peter Messerli. How can science support the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development? Four tasks to tackle the normative dimension of sustainability. Sustainability Science 2019, 14, 1593 -1604.
AMA StyleFlurina Schneider, Andreas Kläy, Anne B. Zimmermann, Tobias Buser, Micah Ingalls, Peter Messerli. How can science support the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development? Four tasks to tackle the normative dimension of sustainability. Sustainability Science. 2019; 14 (6):1593-1604.
Chicago/Turabian StyleFlurina Schneider; Andreas Kläy; Anne B. Zimmermann; Tobias Buser; Micah Ingalls; Peter Messerli. 2019. "How can science support the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development? Four tasks to tackle the normative dimension of sustainability." Sustainability Science 14, no. 6: 1593-1604.
Flurina Schneider; Tobias Buser; Rea Keller; Theresa Tribaldos; Stephan Rist. Research funding programmes aiming for societal transformations: Ten key stages. Science and Public Policy 2019, 46, 463 -478.
AMA StyleFlurina Schneider, Tobias Buser, Rea Keller, Theresa Tribaldos, Stephan Rist. Research funding programmes aiming for societal transformations: Ten key stages. Science and Public Policy. 2019; 46 (3):463-478.
Chicago/Turabian StyleFlurina Schneider; Tobias Buser; Rea Keller; Theresa Tribaldos; Stephan Rist. 2019. "Research funding programmes aiming for societal transformations: Ten key stages." Science and Public Policy 46, no. 3: 463-478.
Myanmar has experienced profound transformations of land use and land governance, often at the expense of smallholders. Empirical evidence on the agency of actors included and excluded in land use decision-making remains scarce. This study analyses who influences land use decision-making, how they do this, and under what circumstances smallholders are included. Comparing three land use trajectories in southern Myanmar, we analysed actors’ agency—conceived as the meanings and means behind (re)actions—in land use decision-making using data from focus groups and interviews. Results showed that uneven distribution of means can lead to unequal decision-making power, enabling actors with more means to exclude those with less means: smallholders. However, this only applies in the case of top-down interventions with mutually exclusive actor interests regarding use of the same land. Where interests are compatible or a mediator supports smallholders in negotiations, actors are likely to develop a collaboration despite unequal means, leading to smallholders’ inclusion in decision-making. Transformation of current land governance towards sustainable development could be promoted by providing mediators to actors with few means, ensuring equal access for all to formal land tenure, engaging with brokers in the land governance network, and improving access to knowledge and financial capital for actors with few means.
Lara Lundsgaard-Hansen; Flurina Schneider; Julie Zaehringer; Christoph Oberlack; Win Myint; Peter Messerli. Whose Agency Counts in Land Use Decision-Making in Myanmar? A Comparative Analysis of Three Cases in Tanintharyi Region. Sustainability 2018, 10, 3823 .
AMA StyleLara Lundsgaard-Hansen, Flurina Schneider, Julie Zaehringer, Christoph Oberlack, Win Myint, Peter Messerli. Whose Agency Counts in Land Use Decision-Making in Myanmar? A Comparative Analysis of Three Cases in Tanintharyi Region. Sustainability. 2018; 10 (10):3823.
Chicago/Turabian StyleLara Lundsgaard-Hansen; Flurina Schneider; Julie Zaehringer; Christoph Oberlack; Win Myint; Peter Messerli. 2018. "Whose Agency Counts in Land Use Decision-Making in Myanmar? A Comparative Analysis of Three Cases in Tanintharyi Region." Sustainability 10, no. 10: 3823.
Stakeholder interactions are increasingly viewed as an important element of research for sustainable development. But to what extent, how, and for which goals should stakeholders be involved? In this article, we explore what degrees of stakeholder interaction show the most promise in research for sustainable development. For this purpose, we examine 16 research projects from the transdisciplinary research programme NRP 61 on sustainable water management in Switzerland. The results suggest that various degrees of stakeholder interaction can be beneficial depending on each project’s intended contribution to sustainability, the form of knowledge desired, how contested the issues are, the level of actor diversity, actors’ interests, and existing collaborations between actors. We argue that systematic reflection about these six criteria can enable tailoring stakeholder interaction processes according specific project goals and context conditions.
Flurina Schneider; Tobias Buser. Promising degrees of stakeholder interaction in research for sustainable development. Sustainability Science 2017, 13, 129 -142.
AMA StyleFlurina Schneider, Tobias Buser. Promising degrees of stakeholder interaction in research for sustainable development. Sustainability Science. 2017; 13 (1):129-142.
Chicago/Turabian StyleFlurina Schneider; Tobias Buser. 2017. "Promising degrees of stakeholder interaction in research for sustainable development." Sustainability Science 13, no. 1: 129-142.
Transdisciplinary research is considered an appropriate mode of knowledge production in the search for pathways towards a more sustainable governance of natural resources. However, the co-production of new knowledge between scientists of different disciplines and nonacademic stakeholders is a challenge that requires novel research designs, methods, and approaches. The MontanAqua team has tackled this challenge by designing and implementing an innovative process of co-production of knowledge. An important element of this process was an assessment and communication tool known as “the sustainability wheel”.
Flurina Schneider; Mariano Bonriposi; Olivier Graefe; Karl Herweg; Christine Homewood; Matthias Huss; Martina Kauzlaric; Hanspeter Liniger; Emmanuel Rey; Emmanuel Reynard; Stephan Rist; Bruno Schädler; Rolf Weingartner. MontanAqua: Tackling Water Stress in the Alps: Water Management Options in the Crans-Montana-Sierre Region (Valais). GAIA - Ecological Perspectives for Science and Society 2016, 25, 191 -193.
AMA StyleFlurina Schneider, Mariano Bonriposi, Olivier Graefe, Karl Herweg, Christine Homewood, Matthias Huss, Martina Kauzlaric, Hanspeter Liniger, Emmanuel Rey, Emmanuel Reynard, Stephan Rist, Bruno Schädler, Rolf Weingartner. MontanAqua: Tackling Water Stress in the Alps: Water Management Options in the Crans-Montana-Sierre Region (Valais). GAIA - Ecological Perspectives for Science and Society. 2016; 25 (3):191-193.
Chicago/Turabian StyleFlurina Schneider; Mariano Bonriposi; Olivier Graefe; Karl Herweg; Christine Homewood; Matthias Huss; Martina Kauzlaric; Hanspeter Liniger; Emmanuel Rey; Emmanuel Reynard; Stephan Rist; Bruno Schädler; Rolf Weingartner. 2016. "MontanAqua: Tackling Water Stress in the Alps: Water Management Options in the Crans-Montana-Sierre Region (Valais)." GAIA - Ecological Perspectives for Science and Society 25, no. 3: 191-193.
If we postulate a need for the transformation of society towards sustainable development, we also need to transform science and overcome the fact/value split that makes it impossible for science to be accountable to society. The orientation of this paradigm transformation in science has been under debate for four decades, generating important theoretical concepts, but they have had limited impact until now. This is due to a contradictory normative science policy framing that science has difficulties dealing with, not least of all because the dominant framing creates a lock-in. We postulate that in addition to introducing transdisciplinarity, science needs to strive for integration of the normative aspect of sustainable development at the meta-level. This requires a strategically managed niche within which scholars and practitioners from many different disciplines can engage in a long-term common learning process, in order to become a “thought collective” (Fleck) capable of initiating the paradigm transformation. Arguing with Piaget that “decentration” is essential to achieve normative orientation and coherence in a learning collective, we introduce a learning approach—Cohn's “Theme-Centred Interaction”—which provides a methodology for explicitly working with the objectivity and subjectivity of statements and positions in a “real-world” context, and for consciously integrating concerns of individuals in their interdependence with the world. This should enable a thought collective to address the epistemological and ethical barriers to science for sustainable development
Andreas Kläy; Anne Zimmermann; Flurina Schneider. Rethinking science for sustainable development: Reflexive interaction for a paradigm transformation. Futures 2015, 65, 72 -85.
AMA StyleAndreas Kläy, Anne Zimmermann, Flurina Schneider. Rethinking science for sustainable development: Reflexive interaction for a paradigm transformation. Futures. 2015; 65 ():72-85.
Chicago/Turabian StyleAndreas Kläy; Anne Zimmermann; Flurina Schneider. 2015. "Rethinking science for sustainable development: Reflexive interaction for a paradigm transformation." Futures 65, no. : 72-85.
Reaktion auf vier Beiträge zu transformativer Wissenschaft in GAIA (2015): A. Grunwald, U. Schneidewind, C. von Wissel, W. Rohe
Andreas Kläy; Flurina Schneider. Zwischen Wettbewerbsfähigkeit und nachhaltiger Entwicklung: Forschungsförderung braucht Politikkohärenz. GAIA - Ecological Perspectives for Science and Society 2015, 24, 224 -227.
AMA StyleAndreas Kläy, Flurina Schneider. Zwischen Wettbewerbsfähigkeit und nachhaltiger Entwicklung: Forschungsförderung braucht Politikkohärenz. GAIA - Ecological Perspectives for Science and Society. 2015; 24 (4):224-227.
Chicago/Turabian StyleAndreas Kläy; Flurina Schneider. 2015. "Zwischen Wettbewerbsfähigkeit und nachhaltiger Entwicklung: Forschungsförderung braucht Politikkohärenz." GAIA - Ecological Perspectives for Science and Society 24, no. 4: 224-227.
Wie können die Sozial- und Geisteswissenschaften zur nachhaltigen Ressourcennutzung beitragen? Diese Frage wurde bei der SAGW-Tagung Nachhaltige Ressourcennutzung ‐ von der Evidenz zur Intervention diskutiert. Im Zentrum standen Fragen zu Werteorientierung und Gerechtigkeit, Einbeziehung von Stakeholdern und Umsetzungsorientierung sowie die disziplinenübergreifende Zusammenarbeit innerhalb der Geistes- und Sozialwissenschaften.
Flurina Schneider. Nachhaltige Nutzung natürlicher Ressourcen: Der Beitrag der Sozial- und Geisteswissenschaften. GAIA - Ecological Perspectives for Science and Society 2015, 24, 214 -216.
AMA StyleFlurina Schneider. Nachhaltige Nutzung natürlicher Ressourcen: Der Beitrag der Sozial- und Geisteswissenschaften. GAIA - Ecological Perspectives for Science and Society. 2015; 24 (3):214-216.
Chicago/Turabian StyleFlurina Schneider. 2015. "Nachhaltige Nutzung natürlicher Ressourcen: Der Beitrag der Sozial- und Geisteswissenschaften." GAIA - Ecological Perspectives for Science and Society 24, no. 3: 214-216.
One significant challenge for the operationalization of water justice arises from the many dynamic scales involved. In this paper we explore the scalar dimension of justice in water governance through the insights derived from empirical research on hydropower production in the Swiss Alps and the application of the geographical concept of politics of scale. More specifically, we investigate how different actors frame the justice problem, the scales that they invoke and which actors consequently get included or excluded in their justice assessments. This study shows that there is no ideal scale for justice evaluations; whichever scale is used, some actors and justice claims are included whereas others are excluded. This is particularly true when using Fraser's trivalent concept of justice, taking into account issues of distribution, recognition and participation where each calls for its own set of scales. Moreover, focusing on the politics of scale framing, our study reveals that the justice claim itself can become a power element. Consequently, to achieve more just water governance, there is not only a need for debate and negotiations about the conceptions and meanings of justice in a specific context, there is also a need for debate about the relevance and implications of divergent scales involved in justice claims.
F. Schneider; T. Buser; O. Graefe. Scales of justice in water governance: hydropower controversies in Switzerland. Water Policy 2014, 16, 137 -154.
AMA StyleF. Schneider, T. Buser, O. Graefe. Scales of justice in water governance: hydropower controversies in Switzerland. Water Policy. 2014; 16 (S2):137-154.
Chicago/Turabian StyleF. Schneider; T. Buser; O. Graefe. 2014. "Scales of justice in water governance: hydropower controversies in Switzerland." Water Policy 16, no. S2: 137-154.
We present and test a conceptual and methodological approach for interdisciplinary sustainability assessments of water governance systems based on what we call the sustainability wheel. The approach combines transparent identification of sustainability principles, their regional contextualization through sub-principles (indicators), and the scoring of these indicators through deliberative dialogue within an interdisciplinary team of researchers, taking into account their various qualitative and quantitative research results. The approach was applied to a sustainability assessment of a complex water governance system in the Swiss Alps. We conclude that the applied approach is advantageous for structuring complex and heterogeneous knowledge, gaining a holistic and comprehensive perspective on water sustainability, and communicating this perspective to stakeholders
Flurina Schneider; Mariano Bonriposi; Olivier Graefe; Karl Herweg; Christine Homewood; Matthias Huss; Martina Kauzlaric; Hanspeter Liniger; Emmanuel Rey; Emmanuel Reynard; Stephan Rist; Bruno Schädler; Rolf Weingartner. Assessing the sustainability of water governance systems: the sustainability wheel. Journal of Environmental Planning and Management 2014, 58, 1577 -1600.
AMA StyleFlurina Schneider, Mariano Bonriposi, Olivier Graefe, Karl Herweg, Christine Homewood, Matthias Huss, Martina Kauzlaric, Hanspeter Liniger, Emmanuel Rey, Emmanuel Reynard, Stephan Rist, Bruno Schädler, Rolf Weingartner. Assessing the sustainability of water governance systems: the sustainability wheel. Journal of Environmental Planning and Management. 2014; 58 (9):1577-1600.
Chicago/Turabian StyleFlurina Schneider; Mariano Bonriposi; Olivier Graefe; Karl Herweg; Christine Homewood; Matthias Huss; Martina Kauzlaric; Hanspeter Liniger; Emmanuel Rey; Emmanuel Reynard; Stephan Rist; Bruno Schädler; Rolf Weingartner. 2014. "Assessing the sustainability of water governance systems: the sustainability wheel." Journal of Environmental Planning and Management 58, no. 9: 1577-1600.
Competing water demands for household consumption as well as the production of food, energy, and other uses pose challenges for water supply and sustainable development in many parts of the world. Designing creative strategies and learning processes for sustainable water governance is thus of prime importance. While this need is uncontested, suitable approaches still have to be found. In this article we present and evaluate a conceptual approach to scenario building aimed at transdisciplinary learning for sustainable water governance. The approach combines normative, explorative, and participatory scenario elements. This combination allows for adequate consideration of stakeholders’ and scientists’ systems, target, and transformation knowledge. Application of the approach in the MontanAqua project in the Swiss Alps confirmed its high potential for co-producing new knowledge and establishing a meaningful and deliberative dialogue between all actors involved. The iterative and combined approach ensured that stakeholders’ knowledge was adequately captured, fed into scientific analysis, and brought back to stakeholders in several cycles, thereby facilitating learning and co-production of new knowledge relevant for both stakeholders and scientists. However, the approach also revealed a number of constraints, including the enormous flexibility required of stakeholders and scientists in order for them to truly engage in the co-production of new knowledge. Overall, the study showed that shifts from strategic to communicative action are possible in an environment of mutual trust. This ultimately depends on creating conditions of interaction that place scientists’ and stakeholders’ knowledge on an equal footing.
Flurina Schneider; Stephan Rist. Envisioning sustainable water futures in a transdisciplinary learning process: combining normative, explorative, and participatory scenario approaches. Sustainability Science 2013, 9, 463 -481.
AMA StyleFlurina Schneider, Stephan Rist. Envisioning sustainable water futures in a transdisciplinary learning process: combining normative, explorative, and participatory scenario approaches. Sustainability Science. 2013; 9 (4):463-481.
Chicago/Turabian StyleFlurina Schneider; Stephan Rist. 2013. "Envisioning sustainable water futures in a transdisciplinary learning process: combining normative, explorative, and participatory scenario approaches." Sustainability Science 9, no. 4: 463-481.
Increasing pressure on mountain water resources is making it necessary to address water governance issues in a transdisciplinary way. This entails drawing on different disciplinary perspectives, different types of knowledge, and different interests to answer complex governance questions. This study identifies strategies for addressing specific challenges to transdisciplinary knowledge production aiming at sustainable and reflective water governance. The study draws on the experiences of 5 large transdisciplinary water governance research projects conducted in Austria and Switzerland (Alp-Water-Scarce, MontanAqua, Drought-CH, Sustainable Water Infrastructure Planning, and an integrative river management project in the Kamp Valley). Experiences were discussed and systematically analyzed in a workshop and subsequent interviews. These discussions identified 4 important challenges to interactions between scientists and stakeholders—ensuring stakeholder legitimacy, encouraging participation, managing expectations, and preventing misuse of data and research results—and explored strategies used by the projects to meet them. Strategies ranged from key points to be considered in stakeholder selection to measures that enhance trustful relationships and create commitment.
Renate Renner; Flurina Schneider; Daniela Hohenwallner; Christian Kopeinig; Sylvia Kruse; Judit Lienert; Steffen Link; Susanne Muhar. Meeting the Challenges of Transdisciplinary Knowledge Production for Sustainable Water Governance. Mountain Research and Development 2013, 33, 234 -247.
AMA StyleRenate Renner, Flurina Schneider, Daniela Hohenwallner, Christian Kopeinig, Sylvia Kruse, Judit Lienert, Steffen Link, Susanne Muhar. Meeting the Challenges of Transdisciplinary Knowledge Production for Sustainable Water Governance. Mountain Research and Development. 2013; 33 (3):234-247.
Chicago/Turabian StyleRenate Renner; Flurina Schneider; Daniela Hohenwallner; Christian Kopeinig; Sylvia Kruse; Judit Lienert; Steffen Link; Susanne Muhar. 2013. "Meeting the Challenges of Transdisciplinary Knowledge Production for Sustainable Water Governance." Mountain Research and Development 33, no. 3: 234-247.
In times of increasing uncertainty because of climate and socioeconomic changes, the ability to deal with uncertainty and surprise is an essential requirement for the sustainability of alpine water governance. This article aims to contribute to the understanding of the adaptive capacity of water governance arrangements in the Swiss Alps and to propose options for reforms. To this purpose, we evaluated the current arrangements and the ways the actors have dealt with water shortages in the past, based on qualitative interviews and a document review. The research revealed that the adaptive capacity of the investigated arrangements is rather high with regard to reactive ways of responding to water shortage problems. However, there is limited capacity to proactively anticipate possible changes and to find prospective solutions on a regional scale. We conclude that with increased environmental and social pressures, forms of proactive water resource governance should be introduced, taking into account the welfare of people in both upstream and downstream areas.
Flurina Schneider; Christine Homewood. Exploring Water Governance Arrangements in the Swiss Alps From the Perspective of Adaptive Capacity. Mountain Research and Development 2013, 33, 225 -233.
AMA StyleFlurina Schneider, Christine Homewood. Exploring Water Governance Arrangements in the Swiss Alps From the Perspective of Adaptive Capacity. Mountain Research and Development. 2013; 33 (3):225-233.
Chicago/Turabian StyleFlurina Schneider; Christine Homewood. 2013. "Exploring Water Governance Arrangements in the Swiss Alps From the Perspective of Adaptive Capacity." Mountain Research and Development 33, no. 3: 225-233.