Narratives of change: Strategies for inclusivity in shaping socio-technical future visions

Paulina Dobroć*, Paula Bögel, Paul Upham

*Corresponding author for this work

Research output: Contribution to journalArticleAcademicpeer-review

6 Citations (Scopus)
145 Downloads (Pure)

Abstract

Narratives of change are increasingly becoming the focus in the context of sustainability transition, and one reason for this is the growing awareness of the impact of language on our environment. Drawing on an analysis of narratives of change of the Swedish strategic innovation program Viable Cities, in our article we illustrate how intermediary organizations seeking to facilitate sustainable futures use narratives to develop their strategies for inclusivity, and we discuss the value of narrative analysis to understand such mediation. In so doing, we draw on a narrative approach from literary studies and show the added value of analysis of textual presentation techniques for sustainability transitions research. As interpretations of discourse, narratives shape social communities and not only tell us about change, but also witness, and are intended to drive, specific changes. Our analysis of the presentation techniques of the narrative of Viable Cities reveals the ways in which the narrative seeks to achieve the goal of inclusion, to help drive change towards the goals of sustainability. This is done through the plurality of the storylines and the narration; while the plurality of perspectives is maintained through the essayistic character of the texts, as well as through stretching the time of the narrative.

Original languageEnglish
Article number103076
Number of pages12
JournalFutures
Volume145
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - Jan-2023

Keywords

  • Future visions
  • Inclusivity
  • Narrative analysis
  • Narratives of change
  • Urban transition
  • Viable Cities

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