During today's sessions, the topic of missing elements in sustainability transformations was discussed. In circualr economy research, there is a lack of comprehensive understanding of the concept of ‘consumption’ when it comes to consumers and the dynamics of post-consumption (aside from waste management). Often, consumers are seen as passive participants, and the focus remains on technology and product design. However, it is essential to recognise that fundamental change lies in consuming less rather than simply encouraging different consumption patterns. To address this, it is suggested that we need to develop strategies that move beyond recycling and towards higher levels of the R-ladder. This entails promoting repairing, reusing, and refusing, which ultimately leads to reduced resource usage. In the keynote session, Professor Richard Wolff prompted us to reconsider the current production system. While we have observed various changes in production, the organization of work has largely remained unchanged, necessitating a fundamental transformation. A small minority at the top continues to govern the majority, excluding them from decision-making processes. Therefore, it is crucial for us to reflect on what, how, and where we produce, as well as how we distribute the fruits of work. Connecting Professor Wolff's speech with the discussions from other sessions, it becomes apparent that in addition to identifying missing elements, we must also consider the interconnectedness between these elements and situate them within a broader context.

From critical reflections on consumption to interactive and roleplaying sessions: the programme today showed yet another great variety of options. Whereas some presenters discussed methodological debates around social practice theory approaches and the explorative vs. representative nature of certain methodologies, questions that were raised mostly concerned 1) the roles of scientists and 2) the long-lasting changes that either interventions or disruptions in everyday life might invoke. Especially the first topic was popular: what is the role of a social scientist? And what normative assumptions do they take with them during research? What is the relationship between policy and research? How about municipalities or other governmental actors? What is the role of science in informing business leaders? 

There is a link to be made here to the keynote speech of Diederik Samsom, who presented us with the task of supplying policy makers with tools to improve the quality of environmental policies. His question to us is ‘how do we reach the kitchen table?’, as he suggests sustainability transformation is driven from there. Circling back to the methodological debates mentioned earlier, the question for the research community might then be: ‘how do we know how to reach the kitchen table?’

Some more explorative sessions surrounding methodologies propose an innovative answer here: we could use scenarios, roleplaying and even games as we ‘dream together’ to create a more sustainable future.