The Transition Design Institute works with industry and nonprofit partners on projects related to sustainable societal transitions and systems-level change.
The Transition Design research approach, developed at Carnegie Mellon University, is used to address wicked problems through deep stakeholder engagement. This research convenes the stakeholders connected to and affected by a wicked problem to develop a multi-perspectival and systemic understanding of the problem. By leveraging the knowledge and lived experience already within the system, the process fosters shared understanding among diverse groups.
Identifying Zones of Opportunity
This systemic perspective reveals key zones of opportunity where ecologies of systems interventions—clusters of solutions that address multiple interconnected issues at multiple levels of scale—can be developed. These interventions have the potential to create synergies across different parts of the system, solving for multiple smaller and interconnected problems simultaneously. The approach calls for ongoing cycles of solutioning along a transition pathway from the problematic present toward the desired, long-term future.
Research Collaborations and Impact
The Transition Design Institute has collaborated on a range of research projects with partners from industry, nonprofits, and community organizations. These projects apply Transition Design methodologies to address pressing challenges such as urban resilience, community-led sustainability efforts, and institutional change. By working closely with stakeholders, this research ensures that solutions are contextually relevant, adaptable, and capable of driving lasting transformation.
Read about a few of TDI’s collaborations using the links at right, or contact Terry Irwin, TDI director, to discuss a research collaboration: tirwin@andrew.cmu.edu.