Prof. Dr. Andra-Ioana Horcea-Milcu

My research is based on the transformative branch of sustainability science, which is pioneering but not yet consolidated. I am interested in reforming collaborative knowledge production into critical levers for achieving the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). Related to this is the question: can science move from demanding change to enabling transformative change? In this context, I particularly focus on understanding and experimenting in the personal domain of sustainable transformation (values, worldviews, cultures, spirituality, consciousness and emotional qualities), especially values and their role as leverage points for sustainability transformation.

Firstly, during my "field research" in transdisciplinary projects, I saw the reality on the ground. This made me realize that science needs to critically look at and rethink its relationship with society if it wants to do something for sustainability transformation. One of the most useful conceptualizations of the relationship between science and society is the distinction between a Mode 1 and a Mode 2 science. In my research journey, I have come to believe that the research community working on and for sustainability transformation would be a 'better place' if the distinction between, for example, a Mode 1 and a Mode 2 science was incorporated into academic debates about transformation. Secondly, my own personal experience taught me how powerful a commitment to a set of values is and how much resilience it creates in one's life.

Most sustainability research to date has focused on the description and analysis of sustainability problems (Mode 1), while the science of Mode 2 has been largely underutilized.

Compared to the political, behavioral and technical responses, the personal sphere of transformation with its inner reactions has often been left outside the scientific discourse on how to achieve a sustainable future. This is now clearly changing. Moreover, the modes of research performance adapted to Mode 2 research methods and transformative sustainability science have been correspondingly less developed.

My vision is to promote a culture of transformative sustainability science as an epistemological foundation from which to contribute to sustainability theory, practice and education, with a particular focus on the role of the humanities and its fundamental questions about values and knowledge production.

I see it as part of my mission to transform collaborative forms of knowledge production into research actions for a desirable future. Values such as kindness, holistic thinking and overcoming dualities are also important to me.