How we developed the Resilience Science Must-Knows
To ensure that the Resilience Science Must-Knows are both scientifically robust and practically relevant, we followed a four-step process combining a global survey with resilience experts, a targeted literature review, editorial board collaboration, and consultation workshops with decision-makers. This approach allowed us to move from broad expert insights to a final, actionable set of Must-Knows grounded in science and real-world needs.
Global survey of resilience researchers
We surveyed 123 researchers from leading global institutions spanning sustainability science, social-ecological systems, climate adaptation, ecology, economics, and governance. They proposed 150 Must-Knows, from which we identified common themes through qualitative coding and hierarchical cluster analysis, resulting in 12 thematic groups. These were refined with input from the project team and Editorial Board and tested through consultation workshops with decision-makers.
Targeted literature review
To anchor the Must-Knows in the latest resilience science, we reviewed 98 benchmark papers across 18 resilience fields. Papers were selected for their high impact and relevance, drawing on expert recommendations from the Editorial Board. Using the AI-assisted tool ELICIT, we extracted key insights, findings, and gaps.
Editorial board process
An Editorial Board of 20 leading resilience scholars guided the process from start to finish. Representing diverse disciplines, regions, and schools of thought, they played a central role in shaping, analysing, and writing the Must-Knows. The Board met in seven workshops, including a three-day in-person session in Stockholm to consolidate drafts, form author teams, and develop the report.
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Consultation workshops
To sense-check and refine the findings, we held four consultation workshops with 162 leaders from 134 organizations in policy, business, and civil society. These included an in-person workshop at the IMF Spring Meetings (Washington, D.C., USA) and three regional online sessions covering Latin America and the Caribbean, Africa, and Asia.
