The case for theory building in sustainability science: An invitation from Education for Sustainable Development (ESD) research

Helge Kminek; Daniel Fischer; Mandy Singer-Brodowski; Alexander Denzin

doi:10.14512/gaia.35.3.9

The case for theory building in sustainability science: An invitation from Education for Sustainable Development (ESD) research

Helge Kminek^*
, Daniel Fischer
, Mandy Singer-Brodowski
, Alexander Denzin

^*Korrespondierende/r Autor/-in für diese Arbeit

Professur für Bildung für nachhaltige Entwicklung und Sachunterricht

Publikation: Beiträge in Zeitschriften › Zeitschriftenaufsätze › Forschung › Begutachtung

Abstract

Sustainability science is a field defined by the problems it addresses and its commitment to bridging knowledge and action. We observe a tendency in the field to overemphasize problem solving while neglecting theory building as a scientific pursuit. We explore this tension through Education for Sustainable Development (ESD) research, identify three problematic tendencies, examine their scientific and practice-facing implications, and propose directions for strengthening theoretical work. We address this invitation to ESD researchers and the wider sustainability science community.

Originalsprache	Englisch
Zeitschrift	GAIA - Ecological Perspectives for Science and Society
Jahrgang	35
Ausgabenummer	3
Seiten (von - bis)	191-195
Seitenumfang	5
ISSN	0940-5550
DOIs	https://doi.org/10.14512/gaia.35.3.9
Publikationsstatus	Erschienen - 08.12.2026

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Publisher Copyright:
© 2026 by the authors; licensee oekom. This Open Access article is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License (CC BY).

UN SDGs

Dieser Output leistet einen Beitrag zu folgendem(n) Ziel(en) für nachhaltige Entwicklung

SDG 4 – Qualitativ hochwertige Bildung

Fachgebiete und Schlagwörter

Bildung für nachhaltige Entwicklung
Nachhaltigkeitswissenschaft

ASJC Scopus Sachgebiete

Umweltwissenschaften (insg.)
Volkswirtschaftslehre, Ökonometrie und Finanzen (sonstige)
Sozialwissenschaften (sonstige)
Umweltwissenschaften (sonstige)

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abstract = "Sustainability science is a field defined by the problems it addresses and its commitment to bridging knowledge and action. We observe a tendency in the field to overemphasize problem solving while neglecting theory building as a scientific pursuit. We explore this tension through Education for Sustainable Development (ESD) research, identify three problematic tendencies, examine their scientific and practice-facing implications, and propose directions for strengthening theoretical work. We address this invitation to ESD researchers and the wider sustainability science community.",

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author = "Helge Kminek and Daniel Fischer and Mandy Singer-Brodowski and Alexander Denzin",

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The case for theory building in sustainability science: An invitation from Education for Sustainable Development (ESD) research. / Kminek, Helge; Fischer, Daniel; Singer-Brodowski, Mandy et al.
in: GAIA - Ecological Perspectives for Science and Society, Jahrgang 35, Nr. 3, 08.12.2026, S. 191-195.

Publikation: Beiträge in Zeitschriften › Zeitschriftenaufsätze › Forschung › Begutachtung

TY - JOUR

T1 - The case for theory building in sustainability science: An invitation from Education for Sustainable Development (ESD) research

AU - Kminek, Helge

AU - Fischer, Daniel

AU - Singer-Brodowski, Mandy

AU - Denzin, Alexander

PY - 2026/12/8

Y1 - 2026/12/8

N2 - Sustainability science is a field defined by the problems it addresses and its commitment to bridging knowledge and action. We observe a tendency in the field to overemphasize problem solving while neglecting theory building as a scientific pursuit. We explore this tension through Education for Sustainable Development (ESD) research, identify three problematic tendencies, examine their scientific and practice-facing implications, and propose directions for strengthening theoretical work. We address this invitation to ESD researchers and the wider sustainability science community.

AB - Sustainability science is a field defined by the problems it addresses and its commitment to bridging knowledge and action. We observe a tendency in the field to overemphasize problem solving while neglecting theory building as a scientific pursuit. We explore this tension through Education for Sustainable Development (ESD) research, identify three problematic tendencies, examine their scientific and practice-facing implications, and propose directions for strengthening theoretical work. We address this invitation to ESD researchers and the wider sustainability science community.

KW - Sustainability education

KW - education for sustainable development

KW - scientific progress

KW - societal outcomes

KW - theory building

KW - sustainability science

KW - Sustainability Science

UR - https://www.scopus.com/pages/publications/105047386657

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DO - 10.14512/gaia.35.3.9

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The case for theory building in sustainability science: An invitation from Education for Sustainable Development (ESD) research

Abstract

Bibliographische Notiz

UN SDGs

Fachgebiete und Schlagwörter

ASJC Scopus Sachgebiete

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