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Inner transformation to sustainability as a deep leverage point: fostering new avenues for change through dialogue and reflection
Open accessAbstract
Abstract This article provides a rationale for inner transformation as a key and hitherto underresearched dimension of sustainability transformations. Inner transformation relates to various aspects of human existence and interactions such as consciousness, mindsets, values, worldviews, beliefs, spirituality and human–nature connectedness. The article draws on Meadows’ leverage points approach, as places to intervene in a system, to reveal the relevance of inner transformation for system change towards sustainability. Based on insights from a series of dialogue and reflection workshops and a literature review, this article provides three important contributions to sustainability transformations research: first, it increases our conceptual understanding of inner transformation and its relevance for sustainability; second, it outlines concrete elements of the inner transformation-sustainability nexus in relation to leverage points; and third, it presents practical examples illustrating how to work with leverage points for supporting inner transformation. In sum, the paper develops a systematized and structured approach to understanding inner transformation, including the identification of deep, i.e., highly influential, leverage points. In addition, it critically discusses the often contentious and divergent perspectives on inner transformation and shows related practical challenges. Finally, current developments in inner transformation research as well as further research needs are identified.
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“Vagal function may provide an appropriate target for objectively measuring the impacts of a wide range of interventions to support connections to self, others and nature, laying the foundations for transformation of the self and progress on the “inner development goals” which are now seen as essential for making progress on the “sustainable development goals” (Wamsler and Brink, 2018; Woiwode et”
From The Complex Construct of Wellbeing and the Role of Vagal Function (2022) · cites this paper as Woiwode et al., 2021
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Hariram, N. P., Mekha, K. B., Suganthan, V., & Sudhakar, K. (2023) · Sustainability · doi:10.3390/su151310682 · Cited by 956
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Metadata
- Authors
- Woiwode, C., Schäpke, N., Bina, O., Veciana, S., Kunze, I., Parodi, O., Schweizer-Ries, P., & Wamsler, C.
- Affiliations
- Indian Institute of Technology Madras (IN)
- University of Freiburg (DE)
- Leuphana University of Lüneburg (DE)
- BOKU University (AT)
- Karlsruhe Institute of Technology (DE)
- Ruhr University Bochum (DE)
- Corresponding author
- Woiwode, Christoph
- Venue
- Sustainability Science
- Published
- 2021-01-19
- Volume
- 16
- Issue
- 3
- Pages
- 841-858
- ISSN
- 1862-4057 (ISSN-L)
- 1862-4065
- OpenAlex
- W3122614873
- Cited by
- 249
- References
- 97
- Citations by year
- 2026: 32 · 2025: 60 · 2024: 59 · 2023: 52 · 2022: 36 · 2021: 10
- FWCI
- 16.09
- Type
- journal article
- Language
- en
- Open access
- hybrid
- doi.org
- Locations
- Sustainability Science (publishedVersion, cc-by)
- Multilingual Matters (Channel View Publications) (publishedVersion, cc-by)
- Repository KITopen (Karlsruhe Institute of Technology) (submittedVersion, cc-by)
- Informationszentrum Lebenswissenschaften (ZB MED) (submittedVersion, cc-by)
- Lund University Publications (Lund University) (submittedVersion)
- RWTH Publications (RWTH Aachen) (submittedVersion, other-oa)
- Portuguese National Funding Agency for Science, Research and Technology (RCAAP Project by FCT) (submittedVersion, other-oa)
- Chalmers Research (Chalmers University of Technology) (submittedVersion)
- KITopen (cc-by)
- Funders
- Swedish Foundation for Strategic Environmental Research
- Deutsches Institut für Entwicklungspolitik
- Vetenskapsrådet (2019-00390, 2019-01969)
- RWTH Aachen
- Topics
- Physical Sciences › Environmental Science › Global and Planetary Change › Sustainability and Climate Change Governance
- Physical Sciences › Environmental Science › Management, Monitoring, Policy and Law › Pro-Environmental Behavior and Attitudes
- Physical Sciences › Environmental Science › Global and Planetary Change › Land Use and Ecosystem Services
- Keywords
- personal transformation, sustainability transformation, leverage points, system change, reflection, consciousness, mindset, values, worldview, spirituality, nature connection
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