Welcome to Transformative Work, a newsletter about work in and for socio-ecological transformations that I plan to publish every two to three weeks. I have studied work in and for socio-ecological transformations since 2017 in three different research projects: Postgrowth work and livelihoods, Toward postfossil working life, and Transformative work practices. In late 2016 I defended my doctoral dissertation on the mundane work of social (sustainable) entrepreneurs. I have developed the concept of transformative work based on my academic research over 15 years, including interviewing and being involved with people who want to deliberately work towards more socially and ecologically just societies (Houtbeckers 2024).
Now, in early 2026, I find myself both stuck and determined to nourish collective momentums to enable socially and ecologically just societies. Stuck because the research field of work in socio-ecological transformations is massive and difficult to communicate easily, but eager because I and many others feel that framing work (or labour) as a key component impacting (and being impacted by) socio-ecological transformations makes perfect sense. To give some scale to the massiveness of the topic, work alone is discussed in depth and breadth in social sciences since, well, forever, let alone socio-ecological transformations.
Why then such a mountainous topic?
Why not something more clearly defined? This is when determination sets in. Based on my research experience of decade and a half, I can safely conclude that we are experiencing a paradigm shift in how people understand their agency (or subjectivity) in socio-ecological transformations. This takes place differently depending on one’s position impacted by, for example, location, culture, gender, sexuality, class, ethnicity, and race. Pessimistically, seven out of nine planetary boundaries have been crossed. That’s why we need new ways of working to reduce energy and material throughput in the extractivist, colonial and imperial societies. Moreover, we need alternative collective meanings for existing beyond continuous exponential economic growth. Optimistically, rethinking and reorganising work can result in more socially and ecologically just societies. Pragmatically, although the quality, share and compensation of work may alter (again depending on one’s position), we will work in any case. Why not consider socio-ecological transformations while working?
Transformative work holds many meanings
This newsletter unpacks these numerous meanings and real-life examples, and it serves the following (at least) three purposes:
Science of Transformative Work. When and how can people consider socio-ecological transformations while working? This question drives my curiosity. The world of work is diverse and very much depended on one’s position and location. I hope to explore the phenomenon of socio-ecological transformations based on my research in Finland but also spotlight other’s work in other regions.
Creativity of Transformative Work. What are we talking about when we talk about transformative work? In addition to science, I hope to bring in my experience on creativity, writing, reading, visual arts, music and more. Humans are creative creatures that express themselves in many ways. One does not have to be a published author, performing musician or an accomplished theatre professional to think and connect to others with various creative means. Creativity forms relations within oneself and to others, and for me that can lead to transformative work.
Relations of Transformative Work. What can we do now to build a community of transformative workers? I invite you, with different backgrounds, skills and dreams, to reflect your experiences as a transformative worker. I’m interested in learning what it means to work in these times of socio-ecological transformations, right now. Normalising discussion on work is needed to make sense of the paradigm shift(s) and understand one’s agency. I know that at l least I need to do that! Why wait when we can act now.
The subjectivity of transformative work
Now after forming scholarly categories, it is time to gather for a small story before the end of this first newsletter. It is said that no matter what the topic of the study is, scholars somehow study aspects of themselves. Any person who ever has created anything knows this to be true. How can one create if not filter it through oneself (or a working group)? And anyone who has ever done research knows it is a truly creative (and collective) endeavour. No matter how rigorous or well disciplined, science is about creating new knowledge. At some point it is about doing something that has very little or no instructions. One must feel one’s way with all the previous knowledge and skills one has acquired, and sometimes one needs to set it all aside and take a marvellous leap of fate.
I know people who study “born globals”, companies that are inherently international, and in fact state that they themselves are naturally born globals or cosmopolitans with various nationalities, languages and living locations under their belt. Or Dorothy Smith who studied the perspective of single mothers in academia, since they were so baffled by the absence of discourse around their very own situation as a single mother climbing the academic ladder. Likewise, philosopher and author Pontus Purokuru has stated that philosophy is the best form of self-help since it focuses on being a human.
So, it is no surprise that my own situation resembles that of the people I have encountered over the years during my research on work in socio-ecological transformations. I too have looked for meaning in these times (actively for more than I have been a scholar). I too am but a person bound to this time, this modern society, these habits, norms, beliefs, and taboos. I too am more than concerned that seven out of nine planetary boundaries are crossed. While I grew up ignoring ecological crises, as this was the upbringing of the time, it became impossible to ignore them after reading some texts in my late teens, mostly borrowed from the city library. I started to comprehend the existential mess we are in as beings, some of us much wealthier and more privileged than other creatures roaming these lands and seas. I read texts about many things, for example the myths about world hunger (it is not due to lack of food but lack of access to it due to human made barriers), economic systems (how they are socialised in business schools and beyond), and the State of the World book series. As a result, I wandered to understand how money makes the world go round. Now I know and it is my time to write more accessible texts beyond academic texts.
Reflections of transformative work
I plan to end every newsletter with a small prompt for you to reflect and possibly share. But only share if you are comfortable with that: some ideas are best to harboured alone or shared in person to someone, while some are to share online. But if you are willing to share, this is chance to crate relations of transformative work and enable others to learn from you.
What brought you to transformative work?
What resonates with you about transformative work?
What would you like to know about transformative work?
Thank you for your attention. Keep transforming.
Eeva Houtbeckers 
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