Transformative pathways for social networks to navigate towards a nature-positive society: collaborate, challenge, and disrupt
Abstract
Social networks of actors and networks of networks are essential in transformative change for biodiversity. In particular, cross-boundary networks such as science–policy–society interface networks are relevant for exchanging ideas that may shift values, paradigms, knowledge, policies, and practices. On the basis of literature and a collaborative design process, we develop three pathways for social networks to navigate in advancing their transformative aspirations: ‘collaborate’, ‘challenge’, and ‘disrupt’. The ‘collaborate’ pathway operates within existing systems, working with ‘coalitions of the willing’. The ‘challenge’ pathway criticises the politics of unsustainable and inequitable practices and calls on powerful actors to take responsibility. The ‘disrupt’ pathway is aimed at removing elements of the current system that hinder transformative change for biodiversity. We suggest that the transformative potential of networks depends on their ability to navigate between the pathways. Networks of networks provide opportunities for networks to combine pathways and leverage each other’s capacities. • Social networks are potential levers of transformative change for biodiversity. • Boundary crossing networks at the science–policy–society interface are needed. • Transformative potential of networks refers to outcome as well as process . • Transformative networks navigate the pathways collaborate , challenge , and disrupt . • Networks of networks help combine pathways and leverage each other’s capacities.
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BibTeX
@article{westerink2026transformative,
title = {{Transformative pathways for social networks to navigate towards a nature-positive society: collaborate, challenge, and disrupt}},
author = {Judith Westerink and Jeanne Nel and Rosalie van Dam and Robin Dianoux and Eszter Kelemen and Stefan Knauss and Kaisa Korhonen-Kurki and Karla Locher-Krause and M Susana Orta-Ortiz and Salla Rantala and Sibylle Schroer and Marie Vandewalle and Renata Włodarczyk-Marciniak and Amy Wortel},
journal = {Current Opinion in Environmental Sustainability},
year = {2026},
month = sep,
doi = {10.1016/j.cosust.2026.101617},
url = {https://hal.inrae.fr/hal-05771330v1},
note = {CC BY},
}
RIS
TY - JOUR
TI - Transformative pathways for social networks to navigate towards a nature-positive society: collaborate, challenge, and disrupt
AU - Judith Westerink
AU - Jeanne Nel
AU - Rosalie van Dam
AU - Robin Dianoux
AU - Eszter Kelemen
AU - Stefan Knauss
AU - Kaisa Korhonen-Kurki
AU - Karla Locher-Krause
AU - M Susana Orta-Ortiz
AU - Salla Rantala
AU - Sibylle Schroer
AU - Marie Vandewalle
AU - Renata Włodarczyk-Marciniak
AU - Amy Wortel
PY - 2026
DA - 2026/09/30
JO - Current Opinion in Environmental Sustainability
DO - 10.1016/j.cosust.2026.101617
UR - https://hal.inrae.fr/hal-05771330v1
AB - Social networks of actors and networks of networks are essential in transformative change for biodiversity. In particular, cross-boundary networks such as science–policy–society interface networks are relevant for exchanging ideas that may shift values, paradigms, knowledge, policies, and practices. On the basis of literature and a collaborative design process, we develop three pathways for social networks to navigate in advancing their transformative aspirations: ‘collaborate’, ‘challenge’, and ‘disrupt’. The ‘collaborate’ pathway operates within existing systems, working with ‘coalitions of the willing’. The ‘challenge’ pathway criticises the politics of unsustainable and inequitable practices and calls on powerful actors to take responsibility. The ‘disrupt’ pathway is aimed at removing elements of the current system that hinder transformative change for biodiversity. We suggest that the transformative potential of networks depends on their ability to navigate between the pathways. Networks of networks provide opportunities for networks to combine pathways and leverage each other’s capacities. • Social networks are potential levers of transformative change for biodiversity. • Boundary crossing networks at the science–policy–society interface are needed. • Transformative potential of networks refers to outcome as well as process . • Transformative networks navigate the pathways collaborate , challenge , and disrupt . • Networks of networks help combine pathways and leverage each other’s capacities.
SN - 1877-3435
SN - 1877-3443
ER -