Transdisciplinary complexity science: deepening system understanding for sustainability

Lynn A. de Jager; Michèlle Bal; Mara Baudena; Karlijn L. van den Broek; Natalie Davis; Henk A. Dijkstra; Ine Dorresteijn; Carlijn B. M. Kamphuis; Ioanna Lykourentzou; Ángeles G. Mayor; Elisa Omodei; Carla Alvial Palavicino; Marijn Stok; Anne R. van Bruggen; Claudia E. Wieners; Silja Zimmermann; Brian J. Dermody

doi:10.1057/s41599-025-05548-7

Transdisciplinary complexity science: deepening system understanding for sustainability

Lynn A. de Jager^*
, Michèlle Bal
, Mara Baudena
, Karlijn L. van den Broek
, Natalie Davis
, Henk A. Dijkstra
, Ine Dorresteijn
, Carlijn B. M. Kamphuis
, Ioanna Lykourentzou
, Ángeles G. Mayor
, Elisa Omodei
, Carla Alvial Palavicino
, Marijn Stok
, Anne R. van Bruggen
, Claudia E. Wieners
, Silja Zimmermann
, Brian J. Dermody

^*Corresponding author for this work

Utrecht University
Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam
Complutense University of Madrid

Research output: Contribution to journal › Review article › peer-review

Abstract

The complex and contextual nature of sustainability challenges demands an approach that integrates quantitative complexity science with transdisciplinary approaches to create an integrated understanding of system change. We present a systematic literature analysis from an emerging field we term Transdisciplinary Complexity Science for Sustainability and derive best practices for how this research approach can foster learning and action for sustainability. Based on our analyses, we identify key areas for future research and provide concrete recommendations for carrying out Transdisciplinary Complexity Science for Sustainability.

Original language	English
Article number	1384
Journal	Humanities and Social Sciences Communications
Volume	12
Issue number	1
DOIs	https://doi.org/10.1057/s41599-025-05548-7
Publication status	Published - 23 Aug 2025

Bibliographical note

Publisher Copyright:
© The Author(s) 2025.

Funding

This research was funded by a “Complexity of Sustainability” grant from the Pathways to Sustainability strategic theme, Utrecht University, and the Centre for Complex Systems Studies, Department of Physics, Utrecht University. Additional funding was provided by the Copernicus Institute of Sustainable Development, Faculty of Geosciences, Utrecht University.

Funders
Universiteit Utrecht
Faculteit Geowetenschappen, Universiteit Utrecht

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Transdisciplinary complexity science: deepening system understanding for sustainabilityFinal published version, 1.27 MBLicence: CC BY-NC-ND

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de Jager, L. A., Bal, M., Baudena, M., van den Broek, K. L., Davis, N., Dijkstra, H. A., Dorresteijn, I., Kamphuis, C. B. M., Lykourentzou, I., Mayor, Á. G., Omodei, E., Alvial Palavicino, C., Stok, M., van Bruggen, A. R., Wieners, C. E., Zimmermann, S., & Dermody, B. J. (2025). Transdisciplinary complexity science: deepening system understanding for sustainability. Humanities and Social Sciences Communications, 12(1), Article 1384. https://doi.org/10.1057/s41599-025-05548-7

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title = "Transdisciplinary complexity science: deepening system understanding for sustainability",

abstract = "The complex and contextual nature of sustainability challenges demands an approach that integrates quantitative complexity science with transdisciplinary approaches to create an integrated understanding of system change. We present a systematic literature analysis from an emerging field we term Transdisciplinary Complexity Science for Sustainability and derive best practices for how this research approach can foster learning and action for sustainability. Based on our analyses, we identify key areas for future research and provide concrete recommendations for carrying out Transdisciplinary Complexity Science for Sustainability.",

author = "\{de Jager\}, \{Lynn A.\} and Mich{\`e}lle Bal and Mara Baudena and \{van den Broek\}, \{Karlijn L.\} and Natalie Davis and Dijkstra, \{Henk A.\} and Ine Dorresteijn and Kamphuis, \{Carlijn B. M.\} and Ioanna Lykourentzou and Mayor, \{{\'A}ngeles G.\} and Elisa Omodei and \{Alvial Palavicino\}, Carla and Marijn Stok and \{van Bruggen\}, \{Anne R.\} and Wieners, \{Claudia E.\} and Silja Zimmermann and Dermody, \{Brian J.\}",

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de Jager, LA, Bal, M , Baudena, M , van den Broek, KL, Davis, N, Dijkstra, HA , Dorresteijn, I, Kamphuis, CBM, Lykourentzou, I, Mayor, ÁG, Omodei, E, Alvial Palavicino, C, Stok, M, van Bruggen, AR, Wieners, CE, Zimmermann, S & Dermody, BJ 2025, 'Transdisciplinary complexity science: deepening system understanding for sustainability', Humanities and Social Sciences Communications, vol. 12, no. 1, 1384. https://doi.org/10.1057/s41599-025-05548-7

TY - JOUR

T1 - Transdisciplinary complexity science: deepening system understanding for sustainability

AU - de Jager, Lynn A.

AU - Bal, Michèlle

AU - Baudena, Mara

AU - van den Broek, Karlijn L.

AU - Davis, Natalie

AU - Dijkstra, Henk A.

AU - Dorresteijn, Ine

AU - Kamphuis, Carlijn B. M.

AU - Lykourentzou, Ioanna

AU - Mayor, Ángeles G.

AU - Omodei, Elisa

AU - Alvial Palavicino, Carla

AU - Stok, Marijn

AU - van Bruggen, Anne R.

AU - Wieners, Claudia E.

AU - Zimmermann, Silja

AU - Dermody, Brian J.

PY - 2025/8/23

Y1 - 2025/8/23

N2 - The complex and contextual nature of sustainability challenges demands an approach that integrates quantitative complexity science with transdisciplinary approaches to create an integrated understanding of system change. We present a systematic literature analysis from an emerging field we term Transdisciplinary Complexity Science for Sustainability and derive best practices for how this research approach can foster learning and action for sustainability. Based on our analyses, we identify key areas for future research and provide concrete recommendations for carrying out Transdisciplinary Complexity Science for Sustainability.

AB - The complex and contextual nature of sustainability challenges demands an approach that integrates quantitative complexity science with transdisciplinary approaches to create an integrated understanding of system change. We present a systematic literature analysis from an emerging field we term Transdisciplinary Complexity Science for Sustainability and derive best practices for how this research approach can foster learning and action for sustainability. Based on our analyses, we identify key areas for future research and provide concrete recommendations for carrying out Transdisciplinary Complexity Science for Sustainability.

UR - https://www.scopus.com/pages/publications/105014028070

U2 - 10.1057/s41599-025-05548-7

DO - 10.1057/s41599-025-05548-7

M3 - Review article

SN - 2662-9992

VL - 12

JO - Humanities and Social Sciences Communications

JF - Humanities and Social Sciences Communications

IS - 1

M1 - 1384

ER -

Transdisciplinary complexity science: deepening system understanding for sustainability

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