ABSTRACT
The degrowth movement-oriented content of the Routledge Handbook of Degrowth (2025) is reflected in this final chapter of the handbook. With reference to other contributors, it argues that important future research directions will closely refer to, and even be directly determined by, the degrowth movement’s agenda (2025–), and challenges to it. Consequently, future degrowth research is discussed in terms of a movement-oriented perspective. As such this chapter speaks especially to engaged researchers who are concerned with agency, self-reflective, curious, critical, open and generate research directions in the form of identified challenges, analytical assessments and critical questions. First, key aspects of the degrowth movement are presented, namely the recent development of a formal International Degrowth Network and struggles to integrate diversity, indeed exhibit pluriversity. Second, apposite research methods are identified. Third, in terms of the degrowth movement’s likely agenda (2025–), research approaches demanding greater attention include relationality, ecological–cultural perspectives, and defensive as well as action-oriented prefigurative politicking. Fourth, the increasingly hostile political and economic world in which the movement must create and select appropriate strategic directions necessarily prioritises practical research.
