ABSTRACT

Modelling Transitions shows what computational, formal and data-driven approaches can and could mean for sustainability transitions research, presenting the state-of-the-art and exploring what lies beyond.

Featuring contributions from many well-known authors, this book presents the various benefits of modelling for transitions research. More than just taking stock, it also critically examines what modelling of transformative change means and could mean for transitions research and for other disciplines that study societal changes. This includes identifying a variety of approaches currently not part of the portfolios of transitions modellers. Far from only singing praise, critical methodological and philosophical introspection are key aspects of this important book.

This book speaks to modellers and non-modellers alike who value the development of robust knowledge on transitions to sustainability, including colleagues in congenial fields. Be they students, researchers or practitioners, everyone interested in transitions should find this book relevant as reference, resource and guide.

chapter 1|2 pages

Foreword

The importance of transitions modelling

chapter 2|7 pages

Prologue

chapter 3|18 pages

Transitions modelling

Status, challenges and strategies

part 1|46 pages

Virtues and vices

chapter 4|29 pages

Making it a science

Aspirations and apprehensions of transitions research

chapter 5|15 pages

Modelling and social science

Problems and promises

part 2|87 pages

State of the art

chapter 6|25 pages

Modelling the multi-level perspective

The MATISSE agent-based model

chapter 7|17 pages

Considering actor behaviour

Agent-based modelling of transitions

chapter 8|20 pages

System dynamics methodology and research

Opportunities for transitions research

part 3|98 pages

The future of modelling transitions

chapter 12|21 pages

Data-driven transitions research

Methodological considerations for event-based analysis

chapter 13|19 pages

Exploratory modelling of transitions

An emerging approach for coping with uncertainties in transitions research

chapter 14|14 pages

Epilogue

Quo vadis transitions modelling?