InContext Literature Review & Research Survey

Publication

Citation

Graf, Andreas et al. 2012: Literature Review & Research Survey. [InContext Deliverable]. Berlin: Ecologic Institute.

This research survey aimed to provide an expansive overview of past and current research related to the study of various contexts of individual behaviour. It assessed their relevance for the work of InContext, and helped situate the work of InContext in the broader research landscape for sustainable behavioural and social change.

InContext Case Study Analysis

Year 2012

Publication:Document

The purpose of this document is to present the InContext approach in terms of dissemination. In particular, it provides an overview of dissemination tools available to the partners, describes division of tasks among partners and clarifies responsibilities related to reporting and documentation.

InContext Feedback and Dissemination Strategy

Year 2011

Publication:Case Study

This empirical report presents the four case studies of the InContext project: GELA - GEmeinsam LAndwirtschaften, a community-supported agriculture project and Thursday Veggie Day, an initiative to reduce meat consumption, and Municipal Energy Transition Process and Emission-Zero cooperative, two projects for citizen-led investments in renewable energies. The study is available for download.

Case Study Report – Sustainable Consumption and Production Niches

Year 2012

Publication:Report

This synthesis report reflects on the four cases of alternative consumption and production niches observed in InContext. From the cross-examination of the empirical material, it distills tentative conclusions on what can be learnt from the emergence and governance patterns of these niches. The case study is available for download.

Alternative Collective Consumption and Production Niches

Lessons from their emergence, developement and governance

Year 2013

Publication:Poster

As part of the project InContext, Ecologic Institute has designed four posters concerned with sustainable lifestyle initiatives in the Netherlands, Germany, and Austria. The posters, illustrated with photos and maps, provide in-depth information on the process and results of the initiatives. They were displayed at the final project conference of InContext and are available for download.

Sustainable Lifestyle – InContext Poster Series

Year 2013

Publication:Document

Action research is the collaborative production of scientifically and socially relevant knowledge through a participatory process. Real-life problems are addressed and new theoretical insights gained. This research brief introduces the concepts of action research, sustainability transitions, and transition management. It presents key issues for conducting action research and how these have been dealt with in the practice of the research teams in the three communities of the InContext project. Furthermore it reflects on the role of the action researcher. The research brief is available for download.

Action Research for Sustainability

Reflections on Transition Management in Practice.

Year 2013

Publication:Policy Brief

From urban gardening and networks of sharing to community-owned wind farms: citizens' initiatives emerge all over Europe in a quest to find new answers to today's pressing challenges. This policy brief explores new forms of cooperation between local governments and these bottom-up initiatives. It argues that getting involved with initiatives helps local governments to be an active player in their community's change dynamics. This cooperation furthermore requires new ways of engaging and participating between the groups.

Going Out of the Town Hall

The Benefits and How They Can Be Achieved

Year 2013

Publication:Policy Brief

This policy brief outlines the main characteristics of this approach and the challenges that these pose for research funders. It discusses whether and how this kind of research can be scaled up and how EU funding mechanisms could support solution-oriented, transformative research. The policy brief is available for download.

How the EU can Support Local Transition Processes

Year 2013

Event:Conference

On 6–7 June 2013, the final conference of InContext, together with the Informed Cities Forum 2013, took place in Berlin. It provided a creative platform for local initiatives, policymakers, and researchers to exchange insights, ideas, and experiences on transition processes. At the core of the conference was the question of how to create space for change and move towards better places, stronger communities, and resilient societies.

InContext Final Conference & Informed Cities Forum 2013

6 - 7 June 2013
Berlin, Germany

Language: English
Authorship: Andreas Graf

Haran Bar-On

Thibaud Henin

Dr. Ralph Piotrowski

Anneke Klasing

Sarah Lang

Mathias Bertram (GIZ)

Lena Green (GIZ)
Funding: European Commission, Directorate-General Research (DG Research), International
Published by: Ecologic Institute, Germany
Year: 2012
Dimension: 66 pp.
Project: Individuals in Context: Supportive Environments for Sustainable Living (InContext)
Project ID: 2706
Table of contents: Click to show full table of contents

1 Introduction
2 Social psychology
2.1 Key topics
2.1.1 Social cognitive theory
2.1.2 Field theory
2.1.3 Social influence
2.1.4 Persuasion theories
2.1.5 Trans-theoretical model of behavioural change
2.1.6 Theory of reasoned action/planned behaviour
2.1.7 Norm activation theory
2.1.8 The focus theory of normative conduct
2.1.9 Theory of inter-personal behaviour
2.2 Selected reading
3 Environmental psychology
3.1 Key topics
3.1.1 Environmental stressors
3.1.2 Environmental risks
3.1.3 Social marketing
3.2 Selected reading
4 Behavioural economics
4.1 Key topics
4.1.1 Framing and loss aversion
4.1.2 Decision-making heuristics
4.1.3 Mental accounting
4.2 Selected reading
5 Neuroscience
5.1 Key topics
5.1.1 Mirror neurons
5.1.2 Genetic disposition
5.1.3 The critical role of emotion
5.2 Selected reading
6 Institutional approaches and the commons
6.1 Selected reading
7 Social-ecological systems and resilience
7.1 Key Concepts
7.1.1 Adaptability
7.1.2 Social resilience
7.2 Selected reading
8 Theories of organization change
8.1 Change management
8.2 Selected reading
9 Ecological economics
9.1 Selected reading
10 Sociology
10.1 Key Topics
10.1.1 Structuration and social practices
10.1.2 Diffusion of innovations
10.1.3 Grassroots innovation
10.2 Selected reading
11 Transitions theory
11.1 Transition management
11.2 Transition arena and experiments
11.3 Backcasting
11.4 Selected reading
12 Reflection of common approach
12.1 Including habits and emotions in the model
12.2 Making change last: considering relapse
References
Annex A. Common approach model of individual behaviour
Annex B. Common approach model of individual and group level change processes
Keywords: Cities

Consumer Policy

EU

Social psychology, Environmental psychology, Behavioural economics, Neuroscience, Institutional approaches and the commons, Social-ecological systems and resilience, Theories of organization change, Sociology

Europe

literature review, research survey