CircularSociety

The researchers aim, through their research and transfer activities, to actively contribute to the stakeholders' efforts to shape the circular transformation, thereby casting light on corresponding transformation pathways at the individual and societal levels. Circular empowerment of stakeholders is a core element, enabling them to proactively integrate new logics of action into their day-to-day routines. The objective is to establish new circular practices and promote their widespread application.

In addition, the researchers seek to exploit their insights to contribute to a critical review of existing economic and value models and promote a socially just transformation. Overall, this work aims to generate research-led impetus for the transformation to a circular society.

The Circular Society Research Unit is dedicated in particular to the issue of how to structure and accelerate the transition to a circular economy beyond purely technical and economic approaches and thus achieve a holistic circular society. It places societal participation and the need to change our ways of life at the heart of the transformation while deliberately reflecting on the requirements of a just transition – that is, the socially equitable restructuring of the economy and society on the path to climate neutrality.

Despite the vast potential it demonstrably offers and observable political and economic dynamics already offering support, the circular economy remains in the early developmental stages and has not yet established itself as the primary societal action model. The Research Unit therefore investigates how circular routines emerge and how circular competencies (circular literacy) can be developed in order to achieve the transition from linear patterns – in which consumers buy, use and throw away – to practices such as sharing, repairing, reusing and recycling. In this context, its researchers analyse psychological and social barriers and various sources of resistance, which range from deadlocked systemic structures to individual habits and sociocultural restrictions. In addition to conveying skills and a circular mindset, the Research Unit also examines structural enabling factors. For example, in order to support implementation in the form of concrete actions, the researchers investigate interventions (such as behavioural economic 'nudges', experimental infrastructural services and policy measures) with regard to their impact and feasibility (such as in cities).

By analysing the interplay between individual behaviour and collective practices, researchers can gain sound insights at the behavioural level, such as regarding consumers' acceptance of circular business models or citizens' acceptance of specific policy measures. These insights serve as a scientific basis upon which to derive requirements for the design of structural framework conditions and systemic transformation. The objective is to lay the foundations for a society in which resource-conserving actions become standard day-to-day practice.

The Circular Society Research Unit is situated within the Circular Economy Division and works closely with three other units. It complements the work of the Circular Ecosystems and Governance Research Unit, which focuses in particular on economic transformation pathways, ecosystem and governance structures, and political steering mechanisms. It also aligns its activities closely with the Circular Systems Research Unit, which engages with the recording, analysis and modelling of circular value creation and the Digital Transformation Research Unit, which examines digitalization opportunities.