“Using synthetic science for transformative change – challenges and opportunities”

The science of synthesis has been widely used over the past 30 years to achieve significant advances in ecology, both in conceptual and applied aspects. When syntheses are developed using a transdisciplinary approach, with the participation of academic and non-academic stakeholders, they have great potential to promote transformative changes towards sustainability, with relevant social impacts. Here, we wish to share the experiences of synthesis centers and transdisciplinary groups in Brazil, France, and Germany in order to discuss the challenges, opportunities, and, possibly, limitations of developing synthesis approaches focused on socio-environmental impacts.

Using synthesis science for transformative changes – challenges and opportunities

The science of synthesis has been widely used over the last 30 years for significant advances in ecology, both in conceptual and applied aspects. When syntheses are developed with a transdisciplinary approach, with the participation of academic and non-academic stakeholders, there is great potential for them to promote transformative changes towards sustainability, with relevant social impacts. Here we want to share experiences from synthesis centers and transdisciplinary groups in Brazil, France, and Germany to discuss the challenges, opportunities, and, possibly, limitations of developing synthesis approaches aimed at socio-environmental impacts.