Those who research transformations, i.e. major social change processes, not only observe and describe changes, but also contribute to change themselves. Research changes the researchers and the researched in equal measure. Transformative research is aware of these many dimensions of change and engages with them. There is no single definition for transformative research. What unites the various definitions is the desire to understand change through transformative research and to direct it in a positive direction.

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"Transformative research aims to develop technical, social and organizational solutions to current problems in a joint process between scientists and practitioners" (Schader Foundation)

 

"Transformative research is oriented towards concrete social problems and is characterized by an explicit claim to intervention. The aim is to catalyze concrete change processes and actively involve stakeholders in the research process"(Wuppertal Institute)

 

"Our mission is to develop transformative knowledge for pathways to sustainable societies. To this end, we conduct transdisciplinary, transformative and co-creative research in order to develop solutions to pressing sustainability problems together with our partners from science, society and politics and to support decision-making processes at national and international level."(IASS)