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Transformation Is ‘Experienced, Not Delivered’: Insights from Grounding the Discourse in Practice to Inform Policy and Theory

Author

Listed:
  • Ronlyn Duncan

    (Manaaki Whenua Landcare Research, Lincoln 7608, New Zealand)

  • Melissa Robson-Williams

    (Manaaki Whenua Landcare Research, Lincoln 7608, New Zealand)

  • Graeme Nicholas

    (Institute of Environmental Science and Research Limited, Christchurch 8041, New Zealand)

  • James A. Turner

    (AgResearch, Hamilton 3217, New Zealand)

  • Rawiri Smith

    (Ngāti Kahungunu Iwi Incorporated, Wairarapa, Hastings 4120, New Zealand)

  • David Diprose

    (Emerdale Farm, Riverton 9883, New Zealand)

Abstract

Calls for transformation, transformative research, and transformational impact are increasingly heard from governments, industry, and universities to recast a course towards sustainability. This paper retraces a social, qualitative, and interpretive research endeavor to contribute to broadening the conceptual base of transformation. Drawing on perspectives of practitioners involved in working with communities to bring about change in how land and water are managed, the objective of the research was to elicit a range of practice-based encounters of transformation to inform policy and theory. In identifying precursors and processes for change, the findings bring into view the often unseen internal and experiential dimensions of transformation. As such, the research provides insights on where transformation takes place, what the first step of transformation might look like, and what might be deemed transformational. The paper also builds on social practice theory to produce an explanatory model of transformational capacity that is enabled and constrained by structures, processes, understanding, and authority that impact on social practices of knowledge generation (including science) and land and water decision-making.

Suggested Citation

  • Ronlyn Duncan & Melissa Robson-Williams & Graeme Nicholas & James A. Turner & Rawiri Smith & David Diprose, 2018. "Transformation Is ‘Experienced, Not Delivered’: Insights from Grounding the Discourse in Practice to Inform Policy and Theory," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 10(9), pages 1-20, September.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jsusta:v:10:y:2018:i:9:p:3177-:d:167941
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Lauren Rickards, 2013. "Transformation is adaptation," Nature Climate Change, Nature, vol. 3(8), pages 690-690, August.
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    Cited by:

    1. Dean C. Stronge & Bryan A. Stevenson & Garth R. Harmsworth & Robyn L. Kannemeyer, 2020. "A Well-Being Approach to Soil Health—Insights from Aotearoa New Zealand," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 12(18), pages 1-12, September.
    2. Melissa Robson-Williams & Bruce Small & Roger Robson-Williams & Nick Kirk, 2021. "Handrails through the Swamp? A Pilot to Test the Integration and Implementation Science Framework in Complex Real-World Research," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 13(10), pages 1-23, May.
    3. Klerkx, Laurens & Begemann, Stephanie, 2020. "Supporting food systems transformation: The what, why, who, where and how of mission-oriented agricultural innovation systems," Agricultural Systems, Elsevier, vol. 184(C).
    4. Aquino, Richard S., 2022. "Community change through tourism social entrepreneurship," Annals of Tourism Research, Elsevier, vol. 95(C).

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