Oberlack, ChristophChristophOberlack0000-0003-2813-7327Breu, Thomas MichaelThomas MichaelBreu0000-0003-2348-504XGiger, MarkusMarkusGigerHarari, NicoleNicoleHarariHerweg, Karl GünterKarl GünterHerweg0000-0003-0019-0302Mathez-Stiefel, Sarah-LanSarah-LanMathez-Stiefel0000-0002-3569-8547Messerli, PeterPeterMesserli0000-0002-0286-6348Moser, StephanieStephanieMoser0000-0002-1564-447XOtt, CordulaCordulaOtt0000-0002-2141-5286Providoli, IsabelleIsabelleProvidoli0000-0002-5416-9552Tribaldos, Theresa MargareteTheresa MargareteTribaldosZimmermann, Anne BarbaraAnne BarbaraZimmermann0000-0001-9561-1581Schneider, FlurinaFlurinaSchneider0000-0001-5368-81692025-01-082025-01-082019https://boris-portal.unibe.ch/handle/20.500.12422/200591Science-based initiatives generate particular changes towards sustainable development. But why and how does this work? Theories of change (ToCs) can help in understanding the theoretical assumptions and modes of knowledge production associated with these initiatives: ToCs trigger debate among the stakeholders and evaluators of an initiative regarding the hypothesized and observed effects of actions as well as regarding underlying assumptions about how change happens. Therefore, they can strengthen the effectiveness of research, practice, and education in sustainability science.en2030 Agendapathways to impactsustainability sciencetheories of change500 - Science::570 - Life sciences; biology900 - History::910 - Geography & travelarticle10.7892/boris.13147710.14512/gaia.28.2.8