Accelerating innovation in sustainable development through transdisciplinary impact research.

Area of Science:

• Sustainable Development
• Transdisciplinary Research
• Innovation Studies

Background:

• Global sustainable development challenges (SDGs) are intractable with traditional methods.
• Lack of effective innovation pathways hinders progress, especially in the global South.
• Existing approaches fail to address complex, systemic problems adequately.

Purpose of the Study:

• To present foundational guidance for implementing mission-based, transdisciplinary impact research.
• To accelerate methodological development for sustainable development research and practice.
• To facilitate systems change and evidence-informed solutions for global sustainability.

Main Methods:

• Learnings from a large-scale program applying mission-based, transdisciplinary research.
• Analysis of comparable global exemplars of impact-oriented research.
• Development of essential "pillars" for practical implementation.

Main Results:

• Identification of key support structures for enabling impact-oriented research.
• Demonstration of a model for concurrently delivering real-world impact and legacy.
• Guidance for overcoming political paralysis in the global South through accessible solutions.

Conclusions:

• Mission-based, transdisciplinary impact research is a promising model for achieving SDGs.
• This approach can fast-track innovation and systems change in sustainable development.
• Practical guidance is essential for successful implementation and real-world impact.