Public Administration and Policy Group
Our mission is to analyse how actors, embedded in institutions, attempt to govern sustainability transformations, and to use the generated insights to help develop or co-design governance arrangements that would invite transformative initiatives in society, or to remove current governance obstacles to such initiatives.
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Our research
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Dynamics and directions of change in governance
This research line conceptualizes and analyses continuity and change in policies, polity, and politics, and in turn how these enable and constrain the dynamics and directions of societal change in different contexts. Because of the wicked nature of the challenges facing governance actors in the fields of climate, water, environment, food and agriculture, it is very important that policy systems respond to new insights, and do not become locked-in into old problem definitions and understandings. Policy and institutional change towards transformation is of paramount importance, but is hard to create because policies and institutions are often deeply entrenched, surrounded by constituencies that benefit from them, and because of existing power constellations.
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Between fragmentation and connectivity
Governance systems are typically organized along specialized units, according to distinct competences, and specific time frames. However, sustainability transformations require cutting across these boundaries between temporal, spatial and jurisdictional scales, between public and private spheres, and between science, policy and society. Sustainability challenges need to be addressed by polycentric governance arrangements, which are characterized by complex interactions across scales and actor configurations. Whether or not and why arrangements operate as a connected system, or disaggregate into a fragmented constellation is not clear. This research line develops an understanding of (1) how actors construct and operate across boundaries and to what effect and (2) which institutions (including norms, rules and beliefs) foster interconnectivity across these boundaries (e.g. through boundary objects, collaborative networks and participatory governance, or procedural instruments), or pose constraints.
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Conflict and contestations
This research line focuses on the role of values and contestation in the design, process and outcome of the governance of sustainability transformations. It analyses what is seen as “good” governance of transformations in terms of effectiveness, legitimacy, accountability, sovereignty, or justice - both in a normative sense and empirically across various contexts and stakeholders. Recently, this research line has also come to include analyses of the ‘dark side’ of sustainability transformations, as potential negative or unintended consequences – such as loss of cultural heritage, displacement of communities or the exacerbation of power imbalances – may arise from attempts at fostering transformative change. Recognizing and addressing the dark side of transformative change is essential for ensuring that sustainability transformations are truly beneficial and equitable.
Education
Public Administration and Policy offers a wide range of courses, thesis topics and internship opportunities. On this page you will find the information you need for your MSc thesis, BSc thesis, internships and research practice.
Recent publications
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How is knowledge production and use practiced in transdisciplinary research collaboration? Examining routines for water transformation
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Leer van waterbeheer! Vier lessen voor langetermijnbestuur
In: De stem voor de toekomst - Uitgeverij Boom - ISBN: 9789024463381 - p. 155-165. -
The financialization of rivers: Clean Development Mechanism (CDM) subsidized hydropower in the Mekong Region’s basins at risk
Global Environmental Change (2025), Volume: 90 - ISSN 0959-3780