Research insights

This compilation of Research Insights presents a selection of research findings that have emerged from the centre since 2007.

This compilation of Research Insights presents a selection of research findings, emergent results and propositions of research that have been generated from the centre since 2007.

The centre has generated research insights that call for a fundamental shift in perspectives and world views to guide action in a fashion that reconnects people to the biosphere.

These insights help contribute to a broader understanding of social-ecological dynamics and resilience thinking.

They are based on peer reviewed publications of the centre, combining and compiling individual publications into 'research insight albums'.

The purpose of the research research insights is to stimulate social-ecological research and resilience theory. They synthesize research achievements for teaching and training and for broader communication and present lessons learned in an accessible fashion.

Click through the list below to read more about each insight:

Insight #1 Transformations
Resilience thinking can help us understand how to initiate and navigate large-scale transformations in social-ecological systems.
Insight #2 Regime shifts
Social-ecological systems contain various tipping points or thresholds that can trigger large-scale reorganisation.
Insight #3 Adaptive governance
Governance of social-ecological systems in an increasingly uncertain world needs to be collaborative, flexible and learning-based.
Insight #4 Social-ecological innovations
Technological and social innovations must become more sensitive to ecosystem dynamics and respect interacting planetary boundaries.
Insight #5 Social-ecological traps
Interaction between social and ecological feedbacks can lock systems into unsustainable pathways, creating social-ecological traps.
Insight #6 Knowledge systems and learning
Combining knowledge systems and promoting learning about social-ecological dynamics enhance the fit between ecosystems and institutions.