The authors illustrate the barriers to implementing these principles in various sustainability science projects from around the world. Buparlisib The results suggest that there is convergence towards general design principles for transdisciplinary sustainability research, but that a great deal

of experience is necessary in order to cope with the various potential pitfalls that can undermine impactful collaboration. The article concludes with a plea for more evaluative and comparative studies that make transdisciplinary experiences and insights accessible and applicable for the growing community of sustainability scholars and practitioners. The next three articles explore different collaborative settings. The article by Shiroyama et al. (2012) explores general multi-agent governance efforts towards sustainability. It critically discusses different forms and levels of selleck inhibitor collaboration and the role of knowledge integration. Challenges and coping strategies are illustrated by means of two cases studies, one on reducing emission from deforestation and forest degradation, and one on global phosphorous management. The article by Orecchini et al. (2012) analyzes university–industry collaboration for a transition towards sustainability, based on scientific frameworks and practical

experience gained from concrete collaborative processes. The article concludes with recommendations for successful collaboration within the framework of sustainability science, including pragmatic buy BAY 1895344 selleckchem methods

for knowledge integration, multi-year collaborations, inclusive communication, and impact assessments of collaborations. The article by Benessia et al. (2012) critically reflects on the current dominant concept of sustainability science and outlines an innovative conceptualization through a plurality of epistemologies, languages, styles of research, experiences, and actions. The article explores a scenario in which sustainability is fruitfully hybridized with a plurality of artistic and cultural expressions and modes of experience-based knowledge; this hybrid is suggested as a new kind of collective diagnose and praxis for addressing sustainability challenges. The following article by Han et al. (2012) can be framed as an exploration of how the aforementioned partnerships could be utilized in addressing challenges of urban sustainability. It outlines a sustainable urban future by means of a low-carbon society, coping with extended life expectancy, and bridging the urban–rural divide. The article highlights the valuable insights that might result from such visioning efforts, but also acknowledges the limitations of the proposed vision, including its exclusive suitability only for highly industrialized regions like Japan or central Europe, and that its implementation might come with some unintended negative consequences. The article by Yarime et al. (2012) extends the previous insights into the realm of sustainability education.