There is a growing body of writing and scholarship on Transition Design and design for transitions.
Since 2015, the Transition Design Institute has contributed to a growing body of international scholarship focused on designing for transitions, catalyzing systems-level change, and shaping more equitable, sustainable, and desirable futures. Beginning with the original Transition Design Provocation, TDI faculty and researchers have played a central role in advancing this evolving field through publications, symposia proceedings, and collaborative editorial projects.
Symposia and Collaborative Publications
TDI has organized three international symposia, each with printed proceedings that include contributions from both panelists and participants. Since 2018, the institute has collaborated with the University of Palermo in Buenos Aires, Argentina, to co-edit two bilingual editions of the journal Cuaderno, broadening access to transition-related scholarship. Additionally, TDI has worked with EINA University in Spain and the Technological University of Monterrey in Mexico, integrating a strong Southern perspective into global discussions on transitions and systems change. In 2013, TDI contributed to the German-language publication of the Transition Design Guide by the renowned Wuppertal Institut for Climate, Environment, and Energy. These partnerships have helped expand the reach of transition-related research and connect scholars working across different cultural and geographic contexts.
Doctoral Research Contributions
Researchers in Carnegie Mellon University’s doctoral program in Transition Design have also contributed to the field through published papers, dissertations, and special projects. One such initiative is the Design in Transition/Diseño en Transición podcast, developed by Spanish-speaking doctoral researchers, which explores transition-related themes from a Latin American perspective. These contributions further enrich the discourse by bringing diverse cultural insights to global conversations on sustainability transitions.
Additional Resources and Access to Publications
TDI directors Terry Irwin and Gideon Kossoff maintain Academia.edu pages that offer a wide range of peer-reviewed and self-published articles, teaching materials, conceptual frameworks, and reports. Additionally, the Transition Design Seminar course for doctoral students is accessible via an external website, providing extensive information, recommended readings, and teaching resources for those interested in Transition Design research and education.