Radical Incrementalism in Action

In this episode, we invite authors from the Centre for Sustainability Transitions, Stellenbosch university and collaborators from McGill university to discuss their article “Radical Incrementalism in Action Through Institutional Work: Case Studies of Embedded Research in South Africa”. As part of our special Eco-Justice and Climate Action series, the authors explore the complexities of navigating changemaking from within institutions. Listen in to discover secrets to radical change through slow and steady processes!

In this episode, our co-hosts Joe and Blane introduce the team and the article at the center of today’s discussion. They begin by grounding listeners in the broader context of South Africa for those who may be less familiar with its history and contemporary dynamics [2:20], before moving into the deeper motivations and relationships behind their collaboration and the development of the concept of radical incrementalism [4:15]. What does this term mean, and how is it done? Our own curiosity increased as we continued our conversation.– What gave rise to this feeling that they needed another way to think about how to pursue change? Some critical scholars might challenge the idea that incrementalism can actually be radical, perhaps the idea represents an abandonment of the drastic and immediate “change we need” concept? So, we ask the authors to respond to this critique [5:15]. The episode then explores how radical incrementalism is actually done, and the messiness and complexity behind this way of working, including questions of embeddedness, role conflicts, ethical dilemmas, and the importance of political literacy [26:27]. Finally, the conversation closes with reflections on how these ideas are shaping daily practice, and what kinds of changes the guests have observed as a result [37:40].

Thank you Mark, Alboricah, Mlondi, Priscilla, Mapula, and Elaine for sharing your work with us in this episode.

Thank you to our listeners for tuning in to this episode of the Action Research Podcast, created by Adam Stieglitz, Joe Levitan, Shikha Diwakar, Cory Legassic, and Vanessa Gold.

Produced by Shikha Diwakar and Vanja Lugonjic.

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Biographies:

Mark Swilling is a Distinguished Professor and a former Co-Director of the Centre for Sustainability Transitions at Stellenbosch University, South Africa. He is an international expert in sustainable development, with over thirty years of experience in ‘societal transitions’ (with special reference to urban systems), initially focusing on democratisation and governance during the Apartheid era in South Africa. The primary research focus of his career can be defined as ‘societal transitions,’ more recently within the broader discipline of sustainability science and governance at the global level. His published research was coupled to major institution-building collaborations. This achievement was recognised in 2010 when he was awarded the Aspen Faculty Pioneer Award for success in introducing sustainability into leadership education.

Dr. Elaine Huang is currently a Research Associate at the Faculty of Education, McGill University. Her research examines how the social sciences can contribute to just and sustainable futures by advancing ethical collaboration, institutional transformation, and collective learning. She is particularly interested in how researchers engage with the politics, evolving normativity, and uncertainties inherent in real-world change processes to serve the public good. Grounded in reflexive and relational approaches, her work reimagines knowledge production as a generative space for ethical engagement, systemic thinking, and transformative practice—both within and beyond academic institutions.

Alboricah Rathupetsane is a PhD Candidate and Junior Researcher at the Centre for Sustainability Transitions in Stellenbosch University, South Africa. Her research sits at the intersection of industrial policy, decarbonisation and infrastructure development within the country’s just transition agenda. Her doctoral work examines the role of infrastructure megaprojects in catalysing industrial revival, specifically focusing on strengthening the participation of local steel firms in South Africa's electricity grid expansion programme.

Mlondi Ndovela is a PhD candidate at the Centre for Sustainability Transitions, Stellenbosch University, South Africa. His work focuses on co-developing and applying a non-equilibrium model to understand the broader macroeconomic implications of the energy transition in South Africa. This work draws its influences from systems dynamics/non-linear dynamics, stock-flow consistent approach, complexity economics and laws of thermodynamics.

Priscilla Jezi is a part-time PhD Candidate with the Centre for Sustainability Transitions at Stellenbosch University in South Africa. She was a full-time employee at an Energy state-owned enterprise as a specialist in development finance with more than 20 years of experience in energy and finance. Responsible for Sustainable Financing, a lead in sourcing funding for Just Energy Transition Projects. She is Head of Treasury Bank Funding for a state- owned Development Bank. An embedded researcher; her current PhD work focus on the emerging Transition Finance approach, which enables and accelerates energy transitions.

Mapula Tshangela is a part-time PhD Candidate with the Centre for Sustainability Transitions at Stellenbosch University in South Africa. She is a full-time senior government official with over 28 years of experience in climate change, green economy, sustainable development, environmental management, and chemistry work. Her research interests include transformative research, sustainability transitions, policy regime shifts, inclusive innovation, and science-policy interface. Her published research includes academic articles and book chapters.

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This episode is part of our Eco-justice and Climate Action Series. Authors from journal articles in a Special Issue of the Canadian Journal for Action Research hop behind the mic and share the inspirations, process, and findings from their projects. Join Joe Levitan, Shikha Diwakar and special guest host Blane Harvey, as they interview an inspiring group of researchers, educators, organizers, and more, navigating the process of action research.