SUSTAINABLE RURAL-DEVELOPMENT - TOWARDS A RESEARCH AGENDA

This paper considers the concept of sustainable development and argues that it holds great potential for prompting interdisciplinary work, both between natural and social science and within the social sciences. First, a brief review of the literature on sustainable development is undertaken in order to identify the main research priorities. Second, some indications of how this work might proceed are given using the rural environment of the U.K. as an exemplar. Finally, future research priorities are identified from an interdisciplinary standpoint. It is concluded that the implications of breaking down disciplinary boundaries are far-reaching but necessary to any meaningful research on sustainability.