Introduction: Action Research, Policy and Politics. Special Issue of the International Journal of Action Research

Abstract

The current COVID-19 pandemic is putting public trust in representative democratic institutions to the test: arguably in an unprecedented manner. However, it only is the tip of the iceberg. The Paris Agreementin2015 signalled nation states' commitment to putting global warming to ah alt, but, five years later, there is widespread disappointment and frustration with the absence of decisive and systematica ction. With many national constitutions heralding equality between people of different sex, gender, age, colour and ethnicity, people consistentlyfail to see those rights translated into actual equal opportunities and treatment in society. The daily flood of news is supposedtoenhance transparency and accountability but also fuels the post-truth bubbles of deeply divided political landscapes marred by conspiracy theories, anti-establishment sentiments and violent protests. Across the world, citizens are demandingurgent and transformative action to halt climate change, realise social justice and overturn entrenched powers in ar ange of novel, insurgent ways that challenge traditional political relationships, arenas and values. Political responses and institutionalc hanges take shape through policy processescharacterised by high levels of complexity, interdependence, and intransigence.The underpinning rationale of this special issue is that the societal challenges we are facing require fundamental, long-term societal transformations that need to be co-produced by all relevant stakeholders. This includes the role and functioning of policy and politics, inviting us to imagine and enact new political-economic frameworks (Speth &Courrier, 2020). It also includes the role and functioning of science, inviting us to conceive and developspaces to coproduce critical knowledge,transformative action and trustfulrelations (Bartels &Wittmayer, 2018). This special issuet herefore addresses the need to connect across different fields to address societal problems, including climate change and social justice. This editorial is not only an introduction to this special issue. The International Journal of Action Research (IJAR) aims for it to create awindow of opportunity for researchers wanting to explore transformation at the interface of action research,policy and politics. By inviting us as guest editors, IJAR deliberately selected the fieldso fp olicy analysis, sustainability transition research and territorial development, because of ongoing efforts for cross-fertilisation at this interface. Hence, this editorial is also an invitation for action researchers in (and beyond) these fields to contribute to the ensuing conversation, about how to address multiple challenges emerging across fields committed to transformative change.