Transformative Social innovation
Social innovation is often mentioned as the solution for current crises and challenges – but when the complexity of our crises is overlooked, social innovation is at best a partial solution. Therefore, we focus on transformative social innovation and the cultural, systemic change it fosters.
go to topicGovernance & Politics
While outsiders, frontrunners and change agents develop critical alternatives that challenge the status quo, incumbent forms of agency optimize existing regimes. At DRIFT, we study and teach to influence and contribute to sustainability transitions – in an equilibrium where every actor matters.
go to topicNew economies
The outbreak of one crisis after the other reveals the inherently flawed nature of our economic system – and the possibilities of a crisis as an accelerator of fundamental systemic change. Therefore, we focus on identifying and providing conditions and transformative business models that bear the power to spur transitions.
go to topicResources & Circularity
Policy ambitions and emerging business practices suggest a rapidly accelerating transition towards the circular economy. Meanwhile, our patterns of production and consumption and their devastating consequences, seem rather persistent. Therefore transitioning towards circularity is about changing technology and society.
go to topicTransformative Knowledge
Creating and using knowledge for transition goes beyond simple theory building: our aim is to create and help develop knowledge that is critical of the status quo, that contributes to fundamental, irreversible change, and that generates sustainable futures. Knowledge that transforms ourselves, our organisations and society.
go to topicUrban transitions
With more than half of the world’s population living in cities, and even over 70% in Europe, it comes as no surprise that cities strongly contribute to unsustainability – but for us, the city is also a breeding ground for innovation, action and opportunities for fundamental change.
go to topicWelfare & Justice
As Western welfare states are increasingly being dismantled, the position of marginalized societal groups is at stake. We address this exclusion and work on stable and inclusive structures, cultures and practices. But how do you innovate stability?
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