Bridge over troubled water: managing compatibility and conflict among thought collectives in sustainability science

Niko Soininen; Christopher M. Raymond; Hanna Tuomisto; Laura Ruotsalainen; Henrik Thorén; Andra Ioana Horcea-Milcu; Milutin Stojanovic; Sanna Lehtinen; Rachel Mazac; Carlos Lamuela; Noora Korpelainen; Annukka Vainio; Reetta Toivanen; Timon McPhearson; Michiru Nagatsu

doi:10.1007/s11625-021-01068-w

Bridge over troubled water: managing compatibility and conflict among thought collectives in sustainability science

Niko Soininen^*
, Christopher M. Raymond
, Hanna Tuomisto
, Laura Ruotsalainen
, Henrik Thorén
, Andra Ioana Horcea-Milcu
, Milutin Stojanovic
, Sanna Lehtinen
, Rachel Mazac
, Carlos Lamuela
, Noora Korpelainen
, Annukka Vainio
, Reetta Toivanen
, Timon McPhearson
, Michiru Nagatsu

^*Corresponding author for this work

Not published at VTT

University of Eastern Finland
University of Helsinki
Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences
Natural Resources Institute Finland (Luke)
Lund University
Babeș-Bolyai University
Aalto University
New School University
Cary Institute of Ecosystem Studies
Stockholm University

Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › Scientific › peer-review

17 Citations (Scopus)

Abstract

Sustainability transformations call forth new forms and systems of knowledge across society. However, few tools and processes exist for promoting dialogue among different interests and normative stances in knowledge co-creation. In this article, we build on the notion of thought collectives to argue that understanding and moderating normative tensions are necessary if sustainability science is to provide successful solutions. Drawing on an analysis of the normative tensions between rival high-tech and low-tech thought collectives in the mobility and food production sectors, we discuss three strategic approaches: applying common evaluative frameworks, building contextual convergence and embracing complexity. We argue that these strategies indicate a need to distinguish different kinds of reflexivity in managing tensions among thought collectives. As a practical conclusion, we establish sets of reflexive questions to help sustainability scientists deploy the knowledge management strategies discussed.

Original language	English
Pages (from-to)	27-44
Journal	Sustainability Science
Volume	17
Issue number	1
DOIs	https://doi.org/10.1007/s11625-021-01068-w
Publication status	Published - Jan 2022
MoE publication type	A1 Journal article-refereed

Funding

AIHM acknowledges EU funding through the Marie Sklodowska‐Curie grant number 840207. The authors acknowledge the support of Helsinki Sustainability Science Institute which received funding from the Academy of Finland. NS acknowledges UEF//Water programme and its funders Olvi Foundation, Saastamoinen Foundation and Wihuri Foundation. RT acknowledges Academy of Finland funded Centre of Excellence in Law, Identity and the European Narratives decision no. 336678.

UN SDGs

This output contributes to the following UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)

SDG 2 Zero Hunger
SDG 11 Sustainable Cities and Communities

Keywords

Food production
Mobility
Reflexivity
Research management
Sustainability science
Thought collective

Access to Document

10.1007/s11625-021-01068-w

Cite this

Soininen, N., Raymond, C. M., Tuomisto, H., Ruotsalainen, L., Thorén, H., Horcea-Milcu, A. I., Stojanovic, M., Lehtinen, S., Mazac, R., Lamuela, C., Korpelainen, N., Vainio, A., Toivanen, R., McPhearson, T., & Nagatsu, M. (2022). Bridge over troubled water: managing compatibility and conflict among thought collectives in sustainability science. Sustainability Science, 17(1), 27-44. https://doi.org/10.1007/s11625-021-01068-w

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abstract = "Sustainability transformations call forth new forms and systems of knowledge across society. However, few tools and processes exist for promoting dialogue among different interests and normative stances in knowledge co-creation. In this article, we build on the notion of thought collectives to argue that understanding and moderating normative tensions are necessary if sustainability science is to provide successful solutions. Drawing on an analysis of the normative tensions between rival high-tech and low-tech thought collectives in the mobility and food production sectors, we discuss three strategic approaches: applying common evaluative frameworks, building contextual convergence and embracing complexity. We argue that these strategies indicate a need to distinguish different kinds of reflexivity in managing tensions among thought collectives. As a practical conclusion, we establish sets of reflexive questions to help sustainability scientists deploy the knowledge management strategies discussed.",

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Soininen, N, Raymond, CM, Tuomisto, H, Ruotsalainen, L, Thorén, H, Horcea-Milcu, AI, Stojanovic, M, Lehtinen, S, Mazac, R, Lamuela, C, Korpelainen, N, Vainio, A, Toivanen, R, McPhearson, T & Nagatsu, M 2022, 'Bridge over troubled water: managing compatibility and conflict among thought collectives in sustainability science', Sustainability Science, vol. 17, no. 1, pp. 27-44. https://doi.org/10.1007/s11625-021-01068-w

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AU - Soininen, Niko

AU - Raymond, Christopher M.

AU - Tuomisto, Hanna

AU - Ruotsalainen, Laura

AU - Thorén, Henrik

AU - Horcea-Milcu, Andra Ioana

AU - Stojanovic, Milutin

AU - Lehtinen, Sanna

AU - Mazac, Rachel

AU - Lamuela, Carlos

AU - Korpelainen, Noora

AU - Vainio, Annukka

AU - Toivanen, Reetta

AU - McPhearson, Timon

AU - Nagatsu, Michiru

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Bridge over troubled water: managing compatibility and conflict among thought collectives in sustainability science

Abstract

Funding

UN SDGs

Keywords

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