Research Pathways to Planetary Regeneration

Planetary regeneration—a holistic approach to restoring Earth’s ecological balance—requires experts to blaze their own trails. Traditional academic and professional systems often lack the integration needed to address the complexity of global challenges, leaving many to carve out new pathways.

Experts typically begin within niche fields like environmental science or social policy, gradually expanding their focus to encompass interdisciplinary systems thinking, indigenous knowledge, or ecological economics. This journey involves questioning established paradigms, embracing iterative learning, and prioritizing impact over traditional metrics like publications or awards.

Navigating uncharted territory demands resilience and collaboration across sectors and cultures. Experts must connect scientific discovery with grassroots action, policy innovation, and global frameworks like the Sustainable Development Goals. They leverage cutting-edge tools and participatory approaches to co-create solutions for restoring ecosystems and fostering resilience.

By forging these innovative paths, trailblazers not only drive tangible outcomes but also inspire new generations committed to ensuring a sustainable future.

Pathway to Developing a Research Portfolio for Planetary Regeneration

1. Define Your Niche within Planetary Regeneration

• • Analyze Intersectionality: Identify how your current PhD research intersects with planetary regeneration, such as climate action, biodiversity, or socio-ecological resilience.

  • Identify Synergies: Pinpoint specific areas of contribution (e.g., renewable energy, indigenous knowledge systems, carbon sequestration, or circular economies).

2. Build an Interdisciplinary Knowledge Base

• • Expand Reading: Explore related disciplines such as ecological economics, sustainability science, and systems thinking.

  • Engage Experts: Connect with scholars in planetary regeneration fields through webinars, conferences, and social media (e.g., ResearchGate, Twitter, LinkedIn).

  • Take Short Courses: Enroll in Massive Open Online Courses (MOOCs) like those offered by EdX, Coursera, or specialized organizations (e.g., Stockholm Resilience Centre).

3. Launch a UROP (Undergraduate Research Opportunities Program)

• • Design a UROP to explore innovative epistemic and pedagogic systems for your emerging field.

  • Empower undergraduates to tackle key challenges in planetary regeneration through project-based, interdisciplinary research.

  • Use the UROP to experiment with transdisciplinary approaches and train the next generation of regenerative thinkers.

4. Re-examine Academic Epistemic Structures

• • Critique and Reimagine: Examine colonial legacies embedded in your field and identify how they constrain innovation and inclusivity.

  • Co-Create Workarounds: Collaborate with marginalized communities and indigenous knowledge holders to design research methods that respect and integrate diverse epistemologies.

  • Epistemic Scaffolding: Build frameworks that make alternative knowledge systems accessible, while bridging them with established academic practices.

5. Participate in and Strengthen Policy Labs

• • Engage with City-Level Policy Labs: Collaborate with urban stakeholders to translate your research into actionable policies that promote regeneration in cities.

  • Join Bioregional Collaborations: Apply your expertise to initiatives that address systemic challenges across interconnected ecosystems.

  • Launch Transnational Policy Labs: Foster collaborations with international partners to co-develop scalable, adaptable solutions across borders, particularly in shared bioregions.

6. Develop a Signature Research Agenda

• • Synthesize Current Work: Align your PhD findings with larger planetary regeneration goals (e.g., how niche innovation can scale for global impact).

  • Define Key Questions: Frame overarching questions that can guide your research trajectory (e.g., How can local ecological knowledge inform scalable regeneration strategies?).

  • Design Comparative Studies: Build a portfolio of case studies or methodologies that can adapt to different planetary contexts.

7. Publish Strategically

• • High-Impact Journals: Target journals focusing on sustainability, conservation, and regeneration. Examples: Nature Sustainability, Global Environmental Change.

  • Diversify Outputs: Publish policy briefs, op-eds, and community-level reports to reach broader audiences.

  • Collaborative Authorship: Co-author with experts in allied fields to enhance the interdisciplinary appeal of your work.

8. Cultivate Strategic Partnerships

• • Join Networks: Become a member of global or regional research networks like Future Earth, Earth System Governance, or the International Science Council.

  • Engage with Policymakers and Practitioners: Partner with NGOs, local governments, or UN agencies involved in regeneration projects.

  • Collaborate with Indigenous Communities: Co-develop research frameworks grounded in traditional ecological knowledge.

9. Apply for Funding Opportunities

• • Research Grants: Apply for grants focused on sustainability and regeneration (e.g., Belmont Forum, Horizon Europe, National Geographic Society).

  • Interdisciplinary Proposals: Frame proposals that address systemic challenges, such as the nexus between biodiversity and climate.

  • Crowdfunding & Philanthropy: Use platforms like Experiment.com or seek partnerships with green philanthropies.

10. Engage in Transdisciplinary Outreach

• • Community-Led Regeneration: Collaborate with grassroots movements to ensure your research contributes to practical outcomes.

  • Public Education: Write blogs, create infographics, or develop videos explaining your work in simple terms.

  • Policy Contributions: Draft recommendations or participate in forums influencing policy on planetary health.

11. Innovate with Methodologies

• • Experimentation: Use innovative methods like geospatial analysis, citizen science, or AI for ecological forecasting.

  • Participatory Approaches: Engage stakeholders in co-research processes for inclusive solutions.

  • Systems Mapping: Create visual models of interconnected ecological and socio-economic systems.

12. Benchmark Against Global Frameworks

• • Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs): Align your research with SDGs 13 (Climate Action), 14 (Life Below Water), and 15 (Life on Land).

  • Planetary Boundaries Framework: Position your work within the safe operating space for humanity.

  • IPBES/UNFCC Reports: Use findings from leading global reports as benchmarks and evidence.

13. Position Yourself as a Thought Leader

• • Speaking Engagements: Present at international conferences like COP events, the International Sustainability Transitions conference, or the Society for Conservation Biology.

  • Host Workshops: Facilitate workshops to share findings and co-create solutions with peers and stakeholders.

  • Mentorship: Guide early-career researchers to build an academic community centered on planetary regeneration.