This special issue of SustainE, “Bridging Power and Knowledge,” is a culmination of the 2024 Humboldt Residency Programme, supported by the Alexander von Humboldt Foundation. The issue convenes diverse voices from across the world to explore how rebalancing global knowledge systems can advance sustainability, inclusion, and justice.
Through case studies, theoretical contributions, and community-led research, the authors illuminate how multiple epistemologies — scientific, indigenous, local, and spiritual — can coexist, interact, and co-create solutions for our shared future. Collectively, the works reaffirm that sustainable development is not only a technical challenge, but a profound cultural and ethical project that must reconcile power and knowledge through equity and dialogue.
Explore the Articles
SustainE – Special Issue (2025)
Bridging Power and Knowledge: Addressing Global Imbalances in Knowledge Systems for Sustainable Futures
Preface by the Guest Editors
Conceptual & Theoretical Foundations
Environmental Sustainability Expert, Leading Change in Education & Community Resilience
- Fostering Equitable Sustainability: Integrating Indigenous Wisdom and Scientific Knowledge for Global Solutions
- Bridging Knowledge Systems for Inclusive Sustainability: A Cross-Cultural Perspective
- From Spiritism to Empiricism: Bridging the Western–Traditional Knowledge Divide with the Igbo Trado-Religious Practices of Arochukwu
- A Shezhire as a Code of Sustainability: Traditional Kazakh Wisdom for a Global Future
Climate Change, Governance & Intersectionality
Papers in this category investigate the multifaceted impacts of climate change, focusing on governance strategies and the intersectional vulnerabilities of different communities, particularly in the Global South.
- The Impact of Climate Change on Digital Governance Policies in Tuvalu
- Climate Change and the Global South: An Intersectional Study of the Impact of Climate Change on LGBTQIAP+
- Environmental Degradation and Economic Performance in Botswana: A Test of the Environmental Kuznets Curve, Pollution Haven and Pollution Halo Hypotheses
Case Studies of Local Knowledge & Sustainability Practices
This section presents practical case studies showcasing how local and traditional knowledge systems are being applied to foster sustainability, resolve conflicts, and build resilience in specific communities.
- From Conflict to Cooperation: A Community-Led Approach to Farmer-Herder Peacebuilding in Riyom, Plateau State, Nigeria
- Assessing the Economic Impact of Traditional Agroforestry Practices on Agricultural Sustainability and Climate Resilience in Rural Mexico
- Bridging Knowledge Worlds: Integrating Local Climate Adaptation Practices with Scientific Research in Southeastern Nigeria
- Do Voluntary Sustainable Standards Induce Systems Change? Evidence from Sustainable Cotton Farming in Pakistan
- Beyond Familiar Metrics: How Kazakhstan's Volunteer Movement Is Reshaping Our Understanding of Social Innovation
Technology, Innovation & Future Pathways
Papers in this category investigate the multifaceted impacts of climate change, focusing on governance strategies and the intersectional vulnerabilities of different communities, particularly in the Global South.
Climate Change, Governance & Intersectionality
Papers in this category investigate the multifaceted impacts of climate change, focusing on governance strategies and the intersectional vulnerabilities of different communities, particularly in the Global South.
Conceptual & Theoretical Foundations
Conceptual & Theoretical Foundations
Environmental Sustainability Expert, Leading Change in Education & Community Resilience
- Fostering Equitable Sustainability: Integrating Indigenous Wisdom and Scientific Knowledge for Global Solutions Vaishnavi Bhagat
- Bridging Knowledge Systems for Inclusive Sustainability: A Cross-Cultural Perspective Joel N. Christoph
- From Spiritism to Empiricism: Bridging the Western–Traditional Knowledge Divide with the Igbo Trado-Religious Practices of Arochukwu Mazi Nwankwo Okafor Michael, Wisdom Essien, Blessing Adukwu, Priscillia Ishmeal, Rachel Mujong, & Rebecca Michael
- A Shezhire as a Code of Sustainability: Traditional Kazakh Wisdom for a Global Future Sadvokassova Akbota & Tursynbay Aspan
Climate Change, Governance & Intersectionality
Papers in this category investigate the multifaceted impacts of climate change, focusing on governance strategies and the intersectional vulnerabilities of different communities, particularly in the Global South.
- The Impact of Climate Change on Digital Governance Policies in Tuvalu Songo Nore
- Climate Change and the Global South: An Intersectional Study of the Impact of Climate Change on LGBTQIAP +Surabhi Srivastava
- Environmental Degradation and Economic Performance in Botswana: A Test of the Environmental Kuznets Curve, Pollution Haven and Pollution Halo Hypotheses
Lovemore Taonezvi & Motshabi Mickey Thabeng
Case Studies of Local Knowledge & Sustainability Practices
This section presents practical case studies showcasing how local and traditional knowledge systems are being applied to foster sustainability, resolve conflicts, and build resilience in specific communities.
- From Conflict to Cooperation: A Community-Led Approach to Farmer-Herder Peacebuilding in Riyom, Plateau State, Nigeria
Pwakim Jacob, Judith Remson, Bisat Justin, Elizabeth Igele, & Nanret David - Assessing the Economic Impact of Traditional Agroforestry Practices on Agricultural Sustainability and Climate Resilience in Rural Mexico
Mohamad Zreik - Bridging Knowledge Worlds: Integrating Local Climate Adaptation Practices with Scientific Research in Southeastern Nigeria
Joel N. Christoph - Do Voluntary Sustainable Standards Induce Systems Change? Evidence from Sustainable Cotton Farming in Pakistan
Mian Usama Tariq - Beyond Familiar Metrics: How Kazakhstan’s Volunteer Movement Is Reshaping Our Understanding of Social Innovation
Tatyana Sholudko
Articles here delve into the role of technology and innovation in addressing sustainability challenges, exploring new pathways for energy generation, information dissemination, and community-led initiatives.
- Production of Weather Information vis-à-vis Agricultural Planning Calendar
Frank Mutesa & Uwera Amina - Biogas Energy Generation Project for Sustainable Rural Development in Egypt, Qena Governorate (ENSAN AID Foundation)
Nourhan Al-Samman - Sangam: Bridging Knowledge and Amplifying South Asian Youth Voices for Climate Resilience
Sadaf Taimur & Bakhtawar Ahmad
Papers in this category investigate the multifaceted impacts of climate change, focusing on governance strategies and the intersectional vulnerabilities of different communities, particularly in the Global South.
- Bridging Power and Knowledge: A Collective Reflection on Equity, Dialogue, and Shared Futures
Guest Editors
Participants of the 2024 Humboldt Residency Programme
Veteran Science Journalist, Championing Global Science & Higher Education Dialogue
Global Health Research Manager & Knowledge Innovator, Advancing Impactful Research Dissemination
Scientific Advisory Board
Christer de Silva
Science Communication Researcher and Information Designer, Envisioning Equitable Engagement Between Knowledge Systems
Yuyun Ismawati
Seye Abimbola
Matthew Fitzpatrick
Programme Leadership – Alexander von Humboldt Foundation
Tonja Andrea Klausmann
Programme Director, Humboldt Residency Programme
Leads and directs the Power and Knowledge project; provides conceptual and strategic oversight for the residency and publication series.
Aritri Dutta
Project Manager, Special Issue
Coordinates editorial processes, and cross-partner collaborations.
The Contributors
Vaishnavi Bhagat
Viara Foundation
Joel N. Christoph
European University Institute
Wisdom Essien
DAAD scholar, University of Passau, Germany
Sadvokassova Akbota
Tor Vergata University of Rome, Italy
Tursynbay Aspan
Maqsut Narikbayev University, Astana, Kazakhstan
Songo Nore
The British University, Egypt
Surabhi Srivastava
National Law University, Jodhpur
Lovemore Taonezvi
Motshabi Mickey Thabeng
BA ISAGO University
YIAVHA Research Team
Youth Initiative Against Violence and Human Rights Abuse, Nigeria
Mohamad Zreik
Sun Yat-sen University, China
Mian Usama Tariq
Tatyana Sholudko
National Volunteer Network, Kazakhstan
Frank Mutesa
Amina Uwera
Nourhan Alsamman
ENSAN Aid Foundation, Egypt
Sadaf Taimur
Goodwill Industries, Ontario, CanadaRights Abuse, Nigeria
Bakhtawar Ahmad
University of the Punjab, India
Acknowledgements
Supported by Humboldt Residency Programme, Alexander von Humboldt Foundation
Project Executed by SustainE Journal, SustainE LLC
The editors express deep appreciation to the Alexander von Humboldt Foundation for its support of equitable global research partnerships, and to the 2024 Humboldt Residency Fellows whose collaborative spirit and creativity made this issue possible.
Special thanks go to the members of the Scientific Advisory Board for their scholarly guidance, and to the global networks that continue to challenge and inspire the reimagining of knowledge, justice, and sustainability.
Publisher & Copyright Information
Publisher: SustainE LLC
Journal: SustainE
ISSN: 2756-6498 | DOI Prefix: 10.55366/suse
(CC BY 4.0) – Open Access
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