wp2 / DC9

Facilitating future practices and institutions for just circular transitions

The purpose of this doctoral position is to study and explore how sustainable, niche innovations can be de-scaled and out-scaled to inspire other people and communities to adapt them to their own ecologies. In particular, the aim is to combine practice-based research with integrative studies of circular design, citizen-led activism and systemic barriers to develop a basis for circular transitions. Expected results are:
1) Validated sustainable niche innovations for future practices and institutions.
2) a conceptual framework for designers, businesses, government and civil society organisations using creative and co-design approaches for just circular transitions.
3) Policy recommendations for future governance.

While sustainable food systems transitions are widely studied, there’s no research on what role Denmark’s small regenerative food producers play in the wider transition. Even if small in scale, these places could offer innovative alternatives for the mainstream regime.

Ilma’s research seeks to investigate how the niche of regenerative food producers could be scaled, especially by deeply rooting in place (scaling down) and embodying universal values (fractal scaling). Conducted as feminist PAR, this project aims to create a conceptual framework of scaling pathways, validated examples of regenerative niche innovations, and policy recommendations for future governance.

The theoretical and methodological structure of the project will be developed at the Social Design Unit, University of Southern Denmark, in collaboration with the Danish Design Center, Climate KIC and RMIT. The methodological approach will include case study analyses, field work, participatory design and a portfolio approach to systems innovation that involves jointly made portfolios of innovation actions within different domains (e.g. energy, consumption, agriculture, transportation). This approach will be based on the engagement of and co-design with local actors, communities and organisations.

Danish Design Center (Denmark) 3 months, with mentor Julie Hjort.
Climate-KIC (Denmark/Italy) 6 months, with mentor Carolina Giraldo