Overcoming barriers to sustainability by combining conceptual, visual, and networking systems

Maher, Ray; Maher, Melanie; McAlpine, Clive; Mann, Samuel; Seabrook, Leonie

doi:10.1007/s11625-018-0576-z

Cited by 17 publications

(17 citation statements)

References 51 publications

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“…The United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) provide a common direction (Griggs et al 2013 ) for guiding collaborating towards a sustainable future. However, several conceptual, institutional, and communication barriers restrict our progress in achieving SDGs in a cohesive fashion (Maher et al 2018b ). Integrating design-based approaches with sustainability science may help to overcome many of the current challenges limiting progress towards SDGs.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Integrating design thinking with sustainability science: a Research through Design approach

Maher

Maher²,

Mann

et al. 2018

Sustain Sci

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Design disciplines have a long history of creating well-integrated solutions to challenges which are complex, uncertain and contested by multiple stakeholders. Society faces similar challenges in implementing the Sustainable Development Goals, so design methods hold much potential. While principles of good design are well established, there has been limited integration of design thinking with sustainability science. To advance this integration, we examine the process of designing MetaMAP: an interactive graphic tool for collaborating to understand social–ecological systems and design well-integrated solutions. MetaMAP was created using Research through Design methods which integrate creative and scientific thinking. By applying design thinking, researchers and practitioners from different backgrounds undertook multiple cycles of problem framing, solution development, testing and reflection. The testing was highly collaborative involving over 150 people from diverse disciplines in workshops, case studies, interviews and critique. Reflecting on this process, we discuss design principles and opportunities for integrating design thinking with sustainability science to help achieve Sustainable Development Goals.Electronic supplementary materialThe online version of this article (10.1007/s11625-018-0618-6) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.

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Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Integrating design thinking with sustainability science: a Research through Design approach

Maher

Maher²,

Mann

et al. 2018

Sustain Sci

Self Cite

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“…Therefore, they often prefer information that is congruent with their own knowledge and experiences (Davidson 2017;Jones and Crow 2017). Visuals can help this fast-thinking by providing shortcuts to translate abstract concepts or terms that have different meanings across disciplines (Maher et al 2018) and between scientific and non-scientific audiences (Venhuizen et al 2019). Moreover, story or narrative elements can help to process and make sense of new information by relating it to the specific context in which the story of the research took place (Downs 2014).…”

Section: Selecting the Scientific Contentmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…This is particularly important when the contribution is difficult to grasp due to scale, complexity, or abstraction (McInerny et al 2014). Moreover, project managers, among other interested professionals in sustainable practices, cover a wide range of disciplines (Maher et al 2018). When specific terms are necessary, its meaning could be illustrated with icons, schemes, or visual examples (Venhuizen et al 2019).…”

Section: Drafting the Text And Visualsmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Their perceptions of what is useful do not only rely on the relevance, credibility, and legitimacy of available knowledge (Cash et al 2003) but also on their management roles, interests, and beliefs (Lemos et al 2012). Visuals and storytelling (among other strategies) are a means for sustainability researchers to narrow this gap by supporting practitioners in increasing their understanding of, and their interest in, research outputs (Maher et al 2018;Young et al 2016).…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Storylines for practice: a visual storytelling approach to strengthen the science-practice interface

et al. 2020

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A growing number of scientific publications is available to promote sustainable river management. However, these publications target researchers rather than water management professionals who are responsible for the implementation of management practices. To bridge this science-to-practice gap, we conceptualize and propose a series of steps to prepare effective storylines targeted at a practitioner audience. We developed this approach within a research program that supports integrated and collaborative river management. We prepared three storylines, each based on one scientific publication. The storylines combined text and interactive visuals using the ESRI StoryMaps tool to make them available online. Via focus groups with 44 participants from research and practice, we evaluated the perceived usefulness of and engagement with the content and design. We collected feedback from participants using a survey as well as via audio and screen recordings. Our findings show that we should narrow down the audience of the storylines by tailoring them to the needs of project managers rather than specialized advisors. Therefore, the content should offer more than a visual summary of the research by showing examples of the management application. A more engaging sequence with a clear protagonist is further required to better relate to the problem and the potential application. Although visuals and interactive elements were considered attractive, a multi-disciplinary editorial team is necessary to better complement the visuals' design to the text. The level of detail of participants' feedback shows that involving project managers to co-create storylines can be an important step for improvement.Publisher's Note Springer Nature remains neutral with regard to jurisdictional claims in published maps and institutional affiliations.

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“…Human flourishing for the present and future generations needs to be the primary driver of sustainability management. We need to overcome barriers to sustainability by integrating knowledge across areas and disciplines (Maher, Maher, Mcalpine, Mann, & Seabrook, 2018). this present book volume attempts to integrate different research to move the field forward.…”

Section: Introduction To This Volume On Sustainabilitymentioning

confidence: 99%

Sustainable Real Estate: Transitioning Beyond Cost Savings

Walker¹,

Goubran²

2020

Business and Society 360

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no part of this book may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system, transmitted in any form or by any means electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording or otherwise without either the prior written permission of the publisher or a licence permitting restricted copying issued in the uK by the copyright licensing agency and in the uSa by the copyright clearance center. any opinions expressed in the chapters are those of the authors. Whilst emerald makes every effort to ensure the quality and accuracy of its content, emerald makes no representation implied or otherwise, as to the chapters' suitability and application and disclaims any warranties, express or implied, to their use.

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Overcoming barriers to sustainability by combining conceptual, visual, and networking systems

Cited by 17 publications

References 51 publications

Integrating design thinking with sustainability science: a Research through Design approach

Integrating design thinking with sustainability science: a Research through Design approach

Storylines for practice: a visual storytelling approach to strengthen the science-practice interface

Sustainable Real Estate: Transitioning Beyond Cost Savings

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