Many approaches to behaviour change focus on individuals: information, incentives, or personal choices. In complex social and environmental settings this perspective is often too narrow. What people do is shaped by shared meanings, relationships, institutions, and the wider systems in which they are embedded.
This page explores research and practical insights that help explain how paradigms, collective identity, and governance shape behaviour and enable collaborative action.
- Paradigms: the deeper patterns shaping action
Paradigms are the deep frameworks through which people interpret the world. They influence how problems are defined, what solutions appear legitimate, and which possibilities remain invisible.
When paradigms shift, new forms of action can emerge. At the same time, dominant paradigms can create blind spots, reinforcing existing assumptions even when circumstances change. Understanding these deeper frames is therefore an important step when working towards systemic change.
- Collective identity and shared purpose
Collective identity shapes how people see themselves in relation to others. When communities, organisations, or movements cultivate a sense of belonging and shared purpose, collaboration becomes easier – even across differences.
Building this shared sense of “we” often depends on relational work: trust-building, inclusive narratives, cultural practices, and opportunities for people to work together in meaningful ways.
- Governance and the practice of acting together
Governance concerns how groups organise themselves to make decisions and take action. Effective governance creates spaces for dialogue, shared leadership, and adaptive problem-solving.
Strengthening these everyday practices helps groups navigate uncertainty and coordinate action across sectors, organisations, and communities. Taken together, attention to paradigms, identity, and governance helps support more inclusive and systemic approaches to behaviour change. The resources below explore these themes from different angles, ranging from conceptual work on paradigms and transformation to practical guidance on governance and collective action.
Key reports and research
Transformation: An introductory guide to fundamental change for researchers and change makers in a world of crises
This 2023 guide by Ioan Fazey and John Colvin provides an accessible introduction to transformational change in response to interconnected challenges such as climate change, inequality, and unsustainable food systems. It explores how transformation differs from incremental reform, highlighting systemic change, shifts in mindsets and power relations, and the importance of vision, coalitions, and collaborative action across multiple actors and scales.
A guide to just transitions for communities in Aotearoa New Zealand
This practical 2023 guide supports communities, regions, and sectors navigating economic, environmental, and social transitions. Structured around five stages – Foundations, Connecting, Planning, Acting, and Adapting – it outlines collaborative approaches for developing shared visions, building relationships, and implementing fair transition pathways. Grounded in the Aotearoa New Zealand context, the guide also highlights the importance of Te Tiriti o Waitangi, Māori values, and inclusive community engagement.
From paradigm blindness to paradigm shift? An integrative review and critical analysis of the regenerative paradigm
This Ambio paper (Taveras-Dalmau, Becken & Westoby, 2025) reviews 320 articles to map the regenerative knowledge field. It presents seven principles, 33 themes, and 253 elements, and critically assesses whether regeneration constitutes a paradigm. The authors highlight tensions of paradigm shifts and paradigm blindness, offering a detailed resource for reflecting on worldviews underpinning systemic change.
Three crucial considerations when presenting alternative paradigms in sustainability research
Boda and Harnesk (2022) caution against uncritical use of “paradigm” in sustainability science. They argue that alternative paradigms must be compared with existing ones, maintain scientific integrity, and clarify how knowledge supports social change. This short piece provides a useful checklist for researchers developing or reviewing paradigm-level frameworks.
Collective identity and collaboration
Building a bigger we
This report (2022) explores how to strengthen collective identity and shared purpose in communities. It examines cultural narratives, institutional design, and relational practices that enable wider collaboration across differences. With practical recommendations, it links directly to behaviour change, social cohesion, and movement-building strategies.
Governing together: Bridging divides in everyday politics
Produced by Dark Matter Labs (2023), this paper looks at how local governments can enable collective action across civic and organisational boundaries. It asks what is needed to improve the quality of collective decisions, mobilise participation, and rebuild trust. Framed around governing together, it highlights practical levers for collaborative action in complex crises.
Collective action and networks
Collaborative governance for green transition
This short practice note summarises lessons from green transition initiatives across the North Sea Region. It introduces practical metagovernance roles and offers hands-on and hands-off tools to help public managers and local convenors convene diverse actors without over-steering. Written for “public sector managers and social entrepreneurs”, it provides accessible, mid-level guidance on holding a shared frame, distributing leadership, and sustaining collaboration across organisational and sector boundaries.
Circular economy transitions through network governance (ten guiding principles)
Based on action research in three Dutch circular economy product chains, this 2023 paper distils ten guiding principles for governing transitions through cross-sector networks. It highlights roles such as “transition broker” and neutral intermediaries, and examines how public authorities and network actors can align without slipping into top-down control. Although academic, the principles and brief cases are very readable, offering a concrete worked example of structuring collective action and learning in real-world transition processes.
Collective action in crisis?
This Introduction to the special issue ‘Collective Action in Crisis? by Martin Kornberger and colleagues (2025) shares frontline insights for practitioners facilitating collaboration during crises. Case studies show how adaptable coordination and trust-building help groups overcome institutional divides and uncertainty. The focus is on actionable governance mechanisms—collaborative leadership, timely decision-making, and shared learning—directly supporting those working for fairer, more resilient outcomes in dynamic or disrupted contexts.
Dynamics of social networks and collective behaviour
This open-access article by Amrutha Venu and colleagues (2021) explains how social identity theory supports collective resilience in crises such as the COVID-19 pandemic. Venu describes practical steps—like fostering a sense of “we” and enabling transparent communication—that empower communities to act collectively and fairly. Practitioners will find actionable insights on building trust, improving governance, and supporting emergent group solidarity for more inclusive and learning-focused change.
Social identification and collective action participation in the internet age
For practitioners aiming to mobilise communities or movements online, this 2021 research paper by Serap Akfırat and colleagues provides evidence that strong digital group identities remain vital for sustainable action. Akfırat highlights how online spaces can deepen trust and widen participation, making it easier to organise for collective goals. Useful for those designing platforms, campaigns, or engagement strategies oriented toward inclusive, collaborative outcomes.
Work on sustainability transitions often involves several connected layers of change. Related pages on this site explore, how values influence behaviour, how behaviour change interventions are designed, and how practices evolve within organisations and communities.
[* Photo by Rineshkumar Ghirao on Unsplash]