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Mobilizing the transformative power of research for achieving the Sustainable Development Goals

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  • Romero Goyeneche, Oscar Yandy
  • Ramirez, Matias
  • Schot, Johan
  • Arroyave, Felber

Abstract

This paper addresses the important question of how research can support the implementation of the United Nations 17 sustainable development goals (SDGs) set out in the 2030 agenda. Much attention on this topic has so far coalesced around understanding and measuring possible synergies and trade-offs that emerge in the SDGs. We contribute to this discussion by arguing that it is necessary to move towards a focus on how SDGs are enabling transformative change. A conceptual approach is presented based on the notion that research should build bridges across three types of SDGs: ones that reflect socio-technical system change, directionality, and framework conditions. This proposition is explored empirically through a case study of Mexican scientific knowledge production using methods from bibliometric and social network analysis. Our results can help to provide a diagnostic of how knowledge production is contributing to the SDGs and can be used in science, technology and innovation policy, in particular transformative innovation policy.

Suggested Citation

  • Romero Goyeneche, Oscar Yandy & Ramirez, Matias & Schot, Johan & Arroyave, Felber, 2022. "Mobilizing the transformative power of research for achieving the Sustainable Development Goals," Research Policy, Elsevier, vol. 51(10).
    • Handle: RePEc:eee:respol:v:51:y:2022:i:10:s0048733322001123
    DOI: 10.1016/j.respol.2022.104589
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    Cited by:

    1. Emilia Miszewska & Maciej Niedostatkiewicz & Radosław Wiśniewski, 2023. "Sustainable Development of Water Housing Using the Example of Poland: An Analysis of Scenarios," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 15(14), pages 1-16, July.
    2. Confraria, Hugo & Ciarli, Tommaso & Noyons, Ed, 2024. "Countries' research priorities in relation to the Sustainable Development Goals," Research Policy, Elsevier, vol. 53(3).
    3. Matteo Trane & Luisa Marelli & Alice Siragusa & Riccardo Pollo & Patrizia Lombardi, 2023. "Progress by Research to Achieve the Sustainable Development Goals in the EU: A Systematic Literature Review," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 15(9), pages 1-37, April.
    4. Caetano C R & Oscar Yandy & Cristian Matti, 2023. "Exploring indicators for monitoring sociotechnical system transitions through portfolio networks," Science and Public Policy, Oxford University Press, vol. 50(4), pages 719-741.
    5. Dimitrios Bouras & Styliani (Stella) Sofianopoulou, 2023. "Sustainable Development Assessment of Organizations through Quantitative Modelling," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 15(11), pages 1-21, May.

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