New Publication: Harnessing the potential of transdisciplinary practice for the transformation of agri-food systems: A review of methodological challenges in participatory scenario development  [16.07.26]

Futures, 183, 103882. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.futures.2026.103882

Abstract

In response to the accelerating biodiversity crisis, scholars increasingly emphasise the need for transformative change in land-use systems. Participatory scenario development (PSD) has emerged as transdisciplinary method for envisioning alternative futures and fostering stakeholder engagement in sustainability transformations. While the literature documents benefits of PSD, it also points to persistent methodological challenges and hampering factors, particularly regarding stakeholder inclusion, integration processes, and researchers’ roles within participatory settings, contributing to perceptions of PSD as a “black box”. This review critically examines PSD approaches in European agri-food systems and how these challenges have been addressed. Drawing on 49 peer-reviewed case studies published since 2000, we apply a mixed-methods coding strategy to explore the methodological implementation of PSD from a transdisciplinary research perspective, operationalised through four hypotheses addressing stakeholder involvement, integration processes, researchers’ roles, and outcomes. Our analysis reveals gaps in inclusivity, notably the limited integration of consumer perspectives, and highlights variation in PSD processes, often accompanied by insufficient transparency in documenting stakeholder integration. Moreover, researchers’ roles are frequently underdefined, undermining reflexivity and trust-building in transdisciplinary collaboration. Despite these limitations, many PSD initiatives yield outcomes beyond scenario results, including actionable knowledge and capacity building. We argue that methodological rigour, transparent process documentation, and explicit reflection on researchers’ roles are critical for advancing PSD as an effective transdisciplinary approach. This also requires reporting routines that make participatory processes, including challenges and adaptations, more visible for learning across cases. Addressing these dimensions more systematically may increase the transformative potential of PSD in complex sustainability contexts.

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