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What definition of sustainable development works best for rigorous academic research?

Multiple definitions of sustainable development exist across disciplines.As a researcher, I need one that is precise yet adaptable to empirical work.I want to avoid definitions that are either vague or overly normative.

 

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By John Koshy Answered 8 months ago

From my experience supervising and reviewing sustainability research, the most effective definition is one that builds on the Brundtland formulation but adds explicit context. I have seen scholars succeed when they clearly specify environmental limits, social equity, and economic processes relevant to their case. I would recommend treating sustainable development as a guiding principle rather than a fixed formula. Precision comes from how the concept is operationalized, not from chasing a single “perfect” definition.

 

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