Our research - overview

What is the Pathways approach?

Our unique new Pathways approach aims to understand the complex, non-linear interactions between social, technological and environmental systems. Some pathways may threaten poor peoples’ livelihoods and health while others create opportunities for sustainability.
Find out more about the 'pathways' approach

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An overview of the STEPS Centre approach

Melissa Leach, Ian Scoones and Andy Stirling have written a short overview of the STEPS approach.
Read a summary
Download (pdf 694b)
Order a copy cost £5.00, or order the set of seven STEPS Working Papers for £20.00

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STEPS briefing 7: Pathways to Sustainability: the STEPS Centre approach

Melissa Leach
Download this briefing (pdf 218kb)

 

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Our Projects

The STEPS Centre is working on five large projects on issues that cross-cut the agriculture, water and health domains and designs, governance and dynamics themes. Linked to regional hubs and partners, this first two-year cycle of field-based projects will help us develop in-depth partnerships, communications and influencing relationships in China, India, Kenya, Argentina and the UK.

Our first five projects

• Climate change in Kenya
• Urbanisation in Asia
• Rethinking regulation in China and Latin America
• Epidemics
• Risk and uncertainty, India

Each project involves elements of all three themes and all three domains, with varying emphasis. This will facilitate the development of cross-cutting analysis, and iteration between project work and thematic development.

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Project objectives

• To pursue cross-domain issues and perspectives: Key dynamics and sustainability challenges involve the interaction of agricultural, health and water-related processes. Major intellectual and policy opportunities exist to connect 'sectoral' debates and perspectives that, to date, have often remained separate.

• To ensure depth of partner and user engagement: The Centre's analytical and normative aims required genuine partnerships involving cross-cutting conceptual and analytical work as well as projects. Capacity-building, communication and influencing policy can be better met through

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