Human-Environment Complexity Lab

Please note that some of the research projects or publications featured on this site were undertaken by Johanna Yletyinen prior to the establishment of this research group. They are included here to provide context and continuity for ongoing work, and to reflect the foundations upon which this group’s research is built.

Complex systems view on how value change co-evolves with sustainability transformation

Our latest publication exploring how Complex Adaptive Systems (CAS) perspectives can deepen our understanding of how values co-evolve with transformative change toward sustainability. By framing values within a CAS lens, we uncover new ways to see, for instance, value emergence, feedback loops, and value change in sustainability transformations.

The paper outlines a research agenda for applying CAS thinking to values research. We wish to encourage scholars to explore how CAS-based thinking can help us investigate the role of values in sustainability transformations.

Read the paper here. (Commissioned article)

Read the non-jargon summary of the article here.

 Yletyinen J, Soini K (2025) Complex systems view can advance value change toward sustainability. PLOS Sustain Transform 4(9): e0000195. https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pstr.0000195