Creating Space for Transitions Through Acknowledging Experiences of Loss

Societal transitions, such as the shift towards a sustainable economy, require changes in the way we live, work, travel, and consume. While these transitions create new opportunities, they can also evoke feelings of loss, for example, the loss of familiar routines, a sense of security, or aspects of personal and collective identity. When these emotions are not acknowledged, they may lead to uncertainty and resistance, slowing down societal change.

Background

In this project, the Transformational Media Research Group investigates how communication can foster greater understanding, connection, and public support for societal transitions. The project explores how cinematic storytelling and facilitated dialogue can help people acknowledge experiences of loss while collectively exploring new perspectives on a sustainable future. 

Project Approach

Together with practice partners, the research group is developing a transformational media intervention that combines short cinematic narratives with facilitated dialogue sessions. Using a real-world transition case, residents, professionals, policymakers, and other stakeholders engage in conversations about experiences of loss, societal change, and opportunities for future action. At the same time, the project investigates how transformational communication can contribute to mutual understanding, trust, and support for sustainable decision-making.

The project generates new insights into how communication can move beyond simply informing people. By creating space for emotions, multiple perspectives, and shared meaning-making, it contributes to new forms of dialogue that can support societal transitions. The resulting media intervention will provide governments, civil society organisations, and other professionals with practical tools to facilitate conversations about complex transition challenges in an inclusive and human-centred way.

Project Partners

This project is carried out in collaboration with the Green Economics & Process Optimization Research Group (project lead) at NHL Stenden University of Applied Sciences and Film als Middel. Throughout the project, practice partners and stakeholders from the selected transition case will be actively involved in the co-creation, implementation, and evaluation of the media intervention.

Funding

This project is funded by the Dutch Climate Research Initiative (Klimaatonderzoek Initiatief Nederland – KIN) through the Knowledge in Action – Economic Transition: The Costs and Benefits of (In)Action 2026 funding programme.