Transitioning to Caring Economies Project

The Project

How to transition to more fair and sustainable economies has become even more of a pressing issue in these times of climate crisis, pandemic, environmental degradation, and global inequalities.

These largely human-caused problems are propelled by what many economic geographers and political economists identify as Western ideas of competition, individualism, and a ‘man vs wild’ mentality that continue to drive traditional economic models. Scholars are calling attention to fundamental issues embedded within classical, profit-driven economic systems. Communities and governments are beginning to hear their call, seeking transitions to different ‘holistic’ economies that prioritise wellbeing over economic growth.

In this exciting Rutherford Discovery Fellowship Transitioning to Caring Economies Through Transformative Community Investment, Professor Dombroski and her team investigates community organisations that are already on the ground and engaged in the types of economies that care about social change. ‘The Transitioning to Caring Economies’ research programme began with case studies in urban areas, farming, composting, and co-housing. It has progressed to studies with diverse communities that include Māori and Asia-Pacific-based community organisations will be conducted. The programme will partner with communities investing their time, energy, and finances into transformation. The project team seeks to understand the kinds of people, practices and organisations that drive and emerge from such investment. The programme has built on these partnerships and is co-developing a way forward by accounting for investments of time and energy in terms of social and environmental wellbeing. This collaborative, socially engaged approach, enhances the prospect of economic change by highlighting and championing those who care about human and planetary wellbeing.