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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