Core design principles for just sustainability transitions: a framework for transformative research

Abstract Transformative research is crucial for orienting, scaling, and accelerating just sustainability transitions (JUSTRAs), which have become a growing priority in sustainability science and policy. This paper addresses the challenge of organizing productive transformative research initiatives by adapting Elinor Ostrom’s Core Design Principles (CDPs) for organizing sustainable collective action. We present a modular framework that illustrates how the CDPs can be applied in the context of transformative research initiatives to support JUSTRAs. In particular, we argue that CDPs can function as boundary objects, fostering productive dialog between different perspectives. This framework offers both theoretical contributions to the field and practical guidance for researchers and practitioners engaged in transformative research initiatives on the ground. By bridging theory and practice, our work aims to make research efforts driving JUSTRAs more productive.