A rich and diverse consortium of academics and practitioners will collaborate in experimentation environments in Amsterdam, Rotterdam, Delft, and other cities to learn from and improve experimentation methods. The consortium will be led by AMS Institute Principal Investigator and TUD professor Tamara Metze. The research project will span five years and is an NWO-funded mission.
“I am excited to unravel what are effective ways of cocreation that lead to mainstreaming the positive changes made in experimental environments. We will figure out how learning and innovation can lead to lasting changes in regulations, policies, and financial systems and the biophysical environment.”
Tamara Metze
Full Professor & AMS PI
Project goal
The main objective of this proposed project is to strengthen the transformative power of physical experimentation environments with new insights, instruments, and increased human capacities, which will enable change-makers to join forces and collaboratively make sustainable change.
Pilot paradox
The project ‘From EXperiment to sustainablechange: TRAnsformative methodologies for Innovation and learning’ (EXTRA) seeks to overcome a persistent 'pilot paradox'. In this 'paradox', much experimentation takes place but long-term systemic impact remains difficult.
Researchers from Delft University, Wageningen University, Free University Amsterdam, Erasmus University Rotterdam, and the Applied Universities of Rotterdam and Amsterdam, together with all sorts of change-makers will synthesises existing knowledge on how to mainstream, upscale, spread, broaden and deepen developed innovations.
Actionable tools
The project is crucial for accelerating sustainability transitions. By refining methodologies for mission-driven experimentation and develop hands on tools for all sorts of change-makers, it will be easier to mainstream the sustainable lessons and innovations.
"These tools will not only aid grassroots innovators but also influence institutional and organisational structures, ensuring that lessons learned from experiments are better anchored in policies, regulations, and organisations," explains Metze.
The project will employ a transdisciplinary action research approach, bringing together knowledge from various disciplines and policy domains. By co-creating solutions with public and private partners, the research will have an immediate impact. In the long term, the project aims to build a more efficient innovation ecosystem, contributing to more impactful and sustainable outcomes for both society and the environment.
Project partners
TU Delft, VU Amsterdam, Wageningen University & Research, Hogeschool van Amsterdam, Erasmus Universiteit Rotterdam, Hogeschool Rotterdam, The Green Village, AMS Institute; PBL Planbureau voor de Leefomgeving, WoonFriesland, Dijkstra Draisma, Provincie Noord-Holland, Ministerie van Binnenlandse Zaken, PRICE / Almere, BouwLab, Alliantie Samen Nieuw-West, Innovation Quarter.
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