Centre for Sustainable Solutions

GALLANT STREAM 1 - SYSTEMS TRANSFORMATION

GALLANT WS1 Banner

Generating evidence and insights to achieve systems transformation on a city scale.

GALLANT's "Systems Transformation" Goal 

Workstream one facilitates multi-stakeholder dialogue and generates insights to support systems transformation at the city scale. 

Using the Doughnut Economics framework to create a shared vision for a Thriving Glasgow, the Systems Transformation team brings diverse forms of knowledge together to inform dynamic, adaptive decision-making.  

 

Our Approach to Systems Transformation

The work of GALLANT’s Systems Transformation team involves working with a range of stakeholders (e.g. policy, business, civil society) to change structures and processes as well as to influence policy and drive action. 

The overall aim is to identify dynamics, dependencies, synergies, and trade-offs to discover optimal interventions to achieve a just transition towards a Thriving Glasgow, balancing the needs of the planet with the wellbeing of people in Glasgow and around the world. 

Research Areas 

  • Doughnut Economics.   
  • City Portraits. 
  • Systems Thinking and Systems Science. 
  • Social Justice.  
  • Sustainability and Climate Change.  
  • City Planning.

Our Team

Led by Prof. Petra Meier and Prof. John Crawford the Systems Transformation team includes expertise in policy engagement and a range of systems methods. Jo Winterbottom is our key policy and stakeholder engagement expert, and Sarah Lester is our research associate providing expertise in qualitative methods and participatory soft systems mapping approaches. Reese Green provides expertise in data visualisation and Alice MacLachlan provides support and project management across the team. Our work on identifying local indicators is supported by Michail Georgiou from the data analytics team (Workstream 3), and our international collaborations to identify global indicators are supported by Mary Menton. Previously Annika Hjelmskog led on the development of the Thriving Glasgow City Portrait, Elizabeth Inyang led on our  participatory soft systems mapping approaches, and Cris Hasan provided expertise in quantitative system dynamic modelling.

PhDs  

Amy Stevenson: Amy’s research explores feminist city planning, health and wellbeing. This aligns with shifts towards local, sustainable living. Through literature reviews, surveys and GIS, Amy will produce a list of indicators and associated visual outputs to support Glasgow and other cities on their journeys to becoming more equitable.  

 Jonathan Lee: Jonathan's research examines the interplay between intra-urban devolution and multi-objective goal sets such as the city's own Thriving Definitions using numerical simulations, tailored to Glasgow via the incorporation of spatial and demographic data. Findings from the model will help inform the design of more adaptable governing systems that can continually evolve in pursuit of a safe and just future for the city.

WS 1 Team Pic

The Thriving Glasgow Portrait report
The Thriving Glasgow Portrait report

Thriving Glasgow Portrait

Wed, 13 Nov 2024 14:47:00 GMT

The Thriving Glasgow Portrait presents a vision for the future, where the people, wildlife, and ecology of Glasgow are all able to mutually thrive. The Portrait downscales the principles of Doughnut Economics, a conceptual framework which aims to answer, ‘how can we meet the needs of all people within the means of the living planet?’

Glasgow Doughnut
Glasgow Doughnut

The Glasgow Doughnut

Wed, 13 Nov 2024 14:47:00 GMT

The Glasgow Doughnut is an interactive tool designed to explore the 44 Thriving Definitions from the Thriving Glasgow Portrait. In the coming months we will be adding interconnections between doughnut dimensions and developing the doughnut data visualisation to show a snapshot of where we are now in relation to our future ambitions.

Systems Modelling

Mon, 02 Nov 2026 23:55:00 GMT

To support decision makers understand and balance the multiple social and environmental goals required to achieve a just and sustainable transitions we have developed two system-modelling approaches: a multi-objective optimisation framework and a dynamic system model.

Doughnut Economics in Glasgow
Doughnut Economics in Glasgow

Mapping the System

Wed, 25 Dec 2024 14:47:00 GMT

GALLANT Researchers have facilitated workshops bringing together diverse stakeholders across GALLANT themes to create detailed systems maps that highlight key components and causal processes within the system.  These have been used to identify key leverage points, synergies and trade-offs. A deeper understanding of system complexity and decision-making practices has been explored through an iterative process of stakeholder engagement and qualitative interviews.

Buchannan Street (Artur Kraft)
Buchannan Street (Artur Kraft)

Policy Engagement

Wed, 13 Nov 2024 14:47:00 GMT

Through collaborative engagement with policymakers and stakeholders, the Systems Transformation team has supported the translation of systems thinking and the Thriving Glasgow Portrait into practical action. Working with Glasgow City Council and partners, we have helped to build a shared understanding of complex challenges, inform strategic decision making, and explore approaches to advance inclusive, sustainable economic transformation.

Tide Monitoring
Tide Monitoring

Climate Action and Health Inequalities

Wed, 13 Nov 2024 14:47:00 GMT

People already experiencing health disadvantages are most likely to be affected by the health impacts of climate change. This systematic review examines existing evidence on the potential of climate adaptation and mitigation strategies to narrow or widen health inequalities in high-income countries. 

Arran Island Portrait

Wed, 13 Nov 2024 14:47:00 GMT

Between October 2025 and March 2026, GALLANT researchers conducted a programme of work in collaboration with residents of the island of Arran. The overall aim was to build on Doughnut Economics work done in Glasgow and compare, contrast, and ultimately link to rural and island implementation of the Doughnut Economics Framework.

Engaging with Businesses

GALLANT has been working in partnership with Glasgow Chamber of Commerce to ensure that the research outputs have the greatest impact.  Building on the work of C40 Cities and supported by Doughnut Economics Action Lab (DEAL), this collaboration has mobilised Chamber of Commerce networks to take the “Living Lab” concept to Glasgow’s local businesses. 

Find out more about our work with the Glasgow Chamber of Commerce. 

Blogs

A reflection on the relevance of systems approaches by Dr Elizabeth Inyang

My Experience with GALLANT as a Research Assistant Intern by Erin Miria John

Where Academia Meets Impact - GALLANT Internship 2025-26 by Laavanya Varadarajan

Grounding Doughnut Economics in Glasgow by Sasha Diachenko

Publications

The effect of climate mitigation and adaptation policies on health and health inequalities: a systematic review

Using doughnut economics to structure whole-system thinking with multidisciplinary stakeholders – a soft systems approach

A multi-objective optimization framework for sustainable transitions [preprint]

Using the Doughnut Economics Framework to Explore the Food System on Arran: Findings from the Community Workshop.

Embedding Doughnut Economics in Glasgow’s Local Businesses: Collaboration Between GALLANT and Glasgow Chamber of Commerce.

Thriving Glasgow Portrait: A shared vision for a healthy, equitable and sustainable future.

Contacts