Research
Knowledge that moves — from question to impact, and back again
GSSCSR advances knowledge not through isolated publication, but through a living ecosystem — where questions gather disciplines, research becomes shared evidence, and evidence turns into real-world impact that raises the next question.
Why research matters
Sustainability advances only as fast as its evidence
Every credible step toward circular, sustainable systems rests on knowledge — what works, for whom, at what cost, and why. But that knowledge is scattered across fields that rarely combine it. The result is slower progress than the moment demands.
A society changes that. By gathering disciplines around shared questions, GSSCSR turns fragmented expertise into evidence the whole field can act on.
- Fragmented knowledgeInsight scattered across fields
- Interdisciplinary researchFields work on it together
- EvidenceFindings that hold up
- ApplicationPut to work in practice
- Sustainable impactReal-world change
Our research philosophy
Four principles that shape how we work
GSSCSR is not tied to one method or one discipline. It is organised around problems — and around the belief that knowledge is strongest when it is shared and applied.
Problem-centred
We start from real sustainability challenges, not from a single methodology or field.
Interdisciplinary
We convene the disciplines a problem actually needs, however far apart they usually sit.
Open & shared
Knowledge is examined in the open and built upon, not locked away or siloed.
Applied
We value evidence by the practical change it enables in systems and society.
Research domains
Fifteen domains, one connected map
These are not separate categories but neighbourhoods of a single ecosystem — grouped by how they relate, and open to every discipline that touches them. The list is indicative, not exhaustive.
Circular & material systems
Climate, energy & resources
Digital, industry & innovation
People, policy & society
The research ecosystem
Knowledge evolves in a cycle, not a straight line
Publication is a moment, not the destination. In a society, knowledge turns continuously — each stage powering the next, and impact feeding new questions back into the wheel.
1Questions
Real-world sustainability problems raise questions no single field can answer.
2Collaboration
Researchers from many disciplines gather in communities around them.
3Research
Together they investigate — rigorous, interdisciplinary and problem-centred.
4Evidence
Findings become shared evidence, openly examined and built upon.
5Practice
Evidence is translated into practice with industry, policy and educators.
6Impact
Real change in circular and sustainable systems — which raises new questions.
…and the wheel turns again. Knowledge grows through community and application — never in isolation.
- Engineering
- Economics
- Design
- Policy
- Digital & AI
- Social science
Interdisciplinary collaboration
The work happens between the fields
A circular-economy question might need a materials scientist, an economist, a designer and a policy scholar in the same conversation. GSSCSR exists to make that conversation normal — giving researchers a shared platform, language and purpose that their individual departments cannot.
Collaboration here is not an occasional event; it is the operating model of the whole ecosystem.
Communities & knowledge exchange
Where researchers gather, and how knowledge moves
The ecosystem is built from member-led structures. These are forming now with our community — an open invitation, honestly labelled.
Research communities
Communities of practice organising around domains — forming with founding members.
Special interest groups
Focused groups advancing specific themes across disciplines.
Calls for contribution
Opportunities to contribute research and reviews — opening as the society develops.
Research repository
A shared home to gather and exchange member research — proposed and in development.
How research creates impact
Evidence is only finished when it changes something
The flywheel closes on impact for a reason: research that never reaches practice is only half done. GSSCSR is built to carry evidence into industry, policy and education — and its purpose aligns with the 17 UN Sustainable Development Goals, the shared, interdisciplinary agenda for that change.
See how impact is framed- ResearchAsk a real question
- EvidenceTest and verify
- TranslationMake it usable
- PracticeApplied in the world
- ImpactSomething changes
- New questionsWhat we learn next
and the cycle begins again
Get involved in research
Help build a new interdisciplinary field — from the first question
GSSCSR’s research ecosystem is being formed now. Founding researchers and practitioners can help define its communities, its questions and its standards of evidence. We won’t claim journals, centres or programmes that don’t yet exist — the invitation is to help create them. If you want to shape a field rather than inherit one, this is the moment.
Turn the wheel with us
Bring your question to a community that can answer it
Join as a member to enter the research ecosystem, or propose a community, group or collaboration you would like to help start.