#IMC: September 14 - 18 2025

Bridging Digital and Sustainability Transitions for Smart, Sustainable Uplands

Assigned Session: FS 3.234: Digital Technologies and Sustainable Mountain Development

Abstract ID: 3.11027 | Accepted as Talk | Talk/Oral | TBA | TBA

Pragyan Thapa (0)
Heeks, Richard (2), Thapa, Devinder (1)
Pragyan Thapa (1)
Heeks, Richard (2), Thapa, Devinder (1)

1
(1) University of Agder, Kristiansand, Norway
(2) University of Manchester, Oxford Rd, Manchester M13 9PL, United Kingdom

(1) University of Agder, Kristiansand, Norway
(2) University of Manchester, Oxford Rd, Manchester M13 9PL, United Kingdom

Categories: Adaptation, Equality, Policy, Socio-Ecology, Sustainable Development
Keywords: Twin transition, Digital transformation, Sustainability transition

Categories: Adaptation, Equality, Policy, Socio-Ecology, Sustainable Development
Keywords: Twin transition, Digital transformation, Sustainability transition

Download
Download

Mountain regions face urgent socio-ecological challenges, from climate change and biodiversity loss to economic marginalisation and overtourism. Simultaneously, digitalisation and sustainability transitions are unfolding globally, yet these trends often remain disconnected in uplands policymaking and practice.
This presentation introduces the concept of the “uplands twin transition”, which integrates digital transformation with sustainability initiatives towards the creation of smart, sustainable mountain regions. Drawing on an emerging research agenda, we examine the opportunities and risks of this twin transition, that would involve place-based digital innovations for climate adaptation, sustainable livelihoods, and ecosystem conservation.
Achieving a just transition requires addressing power imbalances, stakeholder exclusion, and knowledge fragmentation. Through participatory governance and co-produced solutions, digital tools can facilitate inclusive decision-making, amplify local knowledge, and foster cross-sectoral collaborations between scientists, policymakers, and mountain communities. Yet, questions remain: How can digital technologies enhance, rather than disrupt, socio-ecological resilience? What governance models ensure that twin transitions benefit upland residents rather than external stakeholders?
By presenting key research priorities, this talk will explore pathways towards transformative change in mountain regions.

N/A
NAME:
TBA
BUILDING:
TBA
FLOOR:
TBA
TYPE:
TBA
CAPACITY:
TBA
ACCESS:
TBA
ADDITIONAL:
TBA
FIND ME:
>> Google Maps

Limits: min. 3 words, max. 30 words or 200 characters

Choose the session you want to submit an abstract. Please be assured that similar sessions will either be scheduled consecutively or merged once the abstract submission phase is completed.

Select your preferred presentation mode
Please visit the session format page to get a detailed view on the presentation timings
The final decision on oral/poster is made by the (Co-)Conveners and will be communicated via your My#IMC dashboard

Please add here your abstract meeting the following requirements:
NO REFERNCES/KEYWORDS/ACKNOWEDGEMENTS IN AN ABSTRACT!
Limits: min 100 words, max 350 words or 2500 characters incl. tabs
Criteria: use only UTF-8 HTML character set, no equations/special characters/coding
Copy/Paste from an external editor is possible but check/reformat your text before submitting (e.g. bullet points, returns, aso)

Add here affiliations (max. 30) for you and your co-author(s). Use the row number to assign the affiliation to you and your co-author(s).
When you hover over the row number you are able to change the order of the affiliation list.

1
2
1
Add Affiliation(s)

Add here co-author(s) (max. 30) to your abstract. Please assign the affiliation(s) of each co-author in the "Assigned Aff. No" by using the corresponding numbers from the "Affiliation List" (e.g.: 1,2,...)
When you hover over the row number you are able to change the order of the co-author list.

1
2
1
Add Co-Author(s)
1
2
3
1
Add Keyword
Close