How can leaders stay up-to-date with sustainability research?

1 Identify your needs

Before you dive into the vast pool of sustainability research, you need to have a clear idea of what you are looking for and why. What are your specific objectives, questions, or problems that you want to address with research? What kind of information do you need to support your decisions, actions, or projects? How will you use, apply, or communicate the research findings? By defining your needs and expectations, you can narrow down your focus and avoid wasting time and energy on irrelevant or outdated sources.

2 Use credible and diverse sources

Not all sources of sustainability research are created equal. You need to evaluate the quality, validity, and relevance of the information you encounter, and avoid falling for biased, misleading, or inaccurate claims. Some criteria to consider are the author's credentials, the publication date, the peer-review process, the methodology, the evidence, the citations, and the purpose of the research. You also need to diversify your sources and perspectives, and seek out different types of research, such as academic journals, reports, books, podcasts, blogs, newsletters, webinars, or conferences.

3 Organize and synthesize your findings

Once you have collected and evaluated your sources of sustainability research, you need to organize and synthesize them in a way that makes sense for you and your goals. You can use various tools and techniques to store, sort, filter, annotate, and summarize your findings, such as online databases, spreadsheets, mind maps, notes, or outlines. You can also use analytical and critical thinking skills to compare, contrast, integrate, and interpret the research results, and identify the key takeaways, implications, and gaps.

4 Update and review your knowledge

Sustainability research is not a one-time activity, but an ongoing process of learning and discovery. You need to update and review your knowledge regularly, and keep track of the new developments, innovations, and debates in the field. You can use alerts, subscriptions, bookmarks, or networks to stay informed and connected with the latest research publications, events, or trends. You can also review and revise your previous findings, and check if they are still valid, relevant, or useful for your goals.

5 Share and apply your insights

Sustainability research is not only a source of information, but also a catalyst for action and change. You need to share and apply your insights with others, and use them to inform and improve your leadership practices, strategies, or outcomes. You can use various formats and channels to communicate and disseminate your research findings, such as reports, presentations, articles, podcasts, blogs, or social media. You can also use your research skills to collaborate, innovate, and solve problems with your stakeholders, partners, or peers.

6 Learn and grow from feedback

Sustainability research is not a static or final product, but a dynamic and iterative process of inquiry and improvement. You need to learn and grow from feedback, and use it to enhance and refine your research skills and knowledge. You can seek and receive feedback from different sources, such as your colleagues, mentors, experts, or audiences, and use it to evaluate and improve your research quality, relevance, or impact. You can also give feedback to others, and contribute to the advancement and exchange of sustainability research.

7 Here’s what else to consider

This is a space to share examples, stories, or insights that don’t fit into any of the previous sections. What else would you like to add?