Transdisciplinary Ethics in Research and Practice

Navigating Ethical Challenges in Sustainability Transformations

The Agora on Transdisciplinary Ethics is a global initiative dedicated to the ethical dimensions of sustainability research and practice. We help researchers, practitioners, and project leaders navigate ethical dilemmas, manage socio-ecological trade-offs, and drive transformative action for real-world impact.

Our Focus Areas

Building a Collaborative Alliance

We connect a global network of individuals, organizations, and initiatives leading transdisciplinary sustainability efforts. By fostering synergies and shared learning, we co-develop best practices that drive meaningful change.

Advancing Transdisciplinary Ethics

We explore how ethical commitments shape transdisciplinary research and practice. Our work addresses institutional barriers, cultivates ethical integrity, and fosters an enabling research ecosystem that aligns ethics with transformative sustainability goals.

Developing Resources and Strengthening Capacity

We provide workshops, practical tools, and ethical decision-making frameworks to help researchers and practitioners tackle complex ethical challenges. These resources enhance collaboration, amplify impact, and support ethical leadership in sustainability transformations.

Vision and Values

This project aims to create a collaborative space for dialogue, shared practices, and collective problem-solving around equity-aware, justice-oriented transformations towards sustainable futures. Grounded in our core values—Temperance, Transdisciplinarity, Translocalism, and Transformative Learning—it seeks to bridge knowledge practices and inspire action for co-creating a more just and sustainable future. We invite you to join this growing community, whether you are already working on these themes or interested in engaging in dialogue and shared learning.

Three Work Streams

Community-Centric Approach

To develop and support this emerging CoP within TC, dedicated to ethical transdisciplinary and transformative sustainability research. This CoP is designed for practitioners, researchers, and project implementers leading transdisciplinary initiatives.

Research on Research

To examine the normative turn in transdisciplinary research and its implications for individual researchers, university-led initiatives, and the broader research ecosystem. Our work explores how ethical commitments shape research practice and impact.

Capacity Strengthening

To create practical resources, reflexive tools, and structured frameworks to support ethical transdisciplinary research. This includes workshops, toolkits, and methodologies designed to help researchers and practitioners navigate ethical dilemmas and enhance transformative impact.

Our Core Values

Our work is guided by four foundational principles:

Temperance

Balancing competing priorities for responsible action

Transdisciplinarity

Integrating diverse knowledge and perspectives

Translocalism

Connecting local and global experiences for impact

Transformative Learning

Fostering ethical reflection and growth

For a deeper dive into these guiding principles, visit our Core Principles page.

Get Involved

Join a global network of researchers, practitioners, and change-makers committed to shaping a just and sustainable future.

Resources

Transformative Research Ethics: An Open Dialogue (2024)
Building ethical awareness to strengthen co-production for transformation
Neither right nor wrong? Ethics of collaboration in transformative research for sustainable futures

Upcoming Events

Virtual Launch

April–May 2025

Hosting Circle at TCX-York Conference

June 2025, York, England

Hosting Circle at TC/ESG25 Conference

August 2025, South Africa

Virtual Meet-Up

October–November 2025

Join us to connect, exchange insights, and co-create ethical solutions for sustainability transitions.

Co-conveners

Bruce Goldstein

Associate Professor
University of Colorado Boulder

Blane Harvey

Associate Professor
McGill University

Ying-Syuan (Elaine) Huang

Research Associate
McGill University

Julia Wittmayer

Associate Professor
Erasmus University Rotterdam

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