About DRIFT
DRIFT is a leading research institute in the field of sustainability transitions. We develop and share transformative knowledge to support people, cities, sectors and organisations to engage proactively with transitions.
DRIFT has four main activities that complement, ground and inspire each other: academic research, consultancy, education and public dialogue & debate.
The strong link between all of our activities allows us to combine theory-development with critical feedback and various ways of testing and validating our insights. It also enables us to keep our research relevant to a wide variety of actors.
Together with the many people and institutes we collaborate with, we aim to accelerate transitions towards more just, sustainable and resilient societies.
Focus areas
Our core area of expertise lies in sustainability transitions and transition governance. Within these, we have seven focus areas: Resources & Circularity, Welfare & Justice, Social Innovation, Governance & Politics, New Economies, Urban Transitions, Transformative Knowledge. Find out more about these topics.
Our people
The DRIFT team is an international and interdisciplinary group of researchers and advisors. Our backgrounds range widely and include environmental science, innovation studies, public administration, sociology, political studies, engineering, cultural analysis and anthropology.
We combine academic rigor with reflexive activism. DRIFTERS are a group of socially committed, open minded, curious and – at times – provocative individuals. Meet our team.
DRIFT was established in 2004 at the Erasmus University of Rotterdam, where we are currently operating as a social enterprise. Since 2004 we’ve seen the field of Sustainability Transitions grow into a booming, international field of research and practice.
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