Transformative research is a broad and loosely connected family of research disciplines and approaches, with the explicit normative ambition to fundamentally question the status quo, change the dominant structures, and support just sustainability transitions by working collaboratively with society. When engaging in such science-practice collaborations for transformative change in society, researchers experience ethical dilemmas. Amongst others, they must decide, what is worthwhile to be researched, whose reality is privileged, and whose knowledge is included. Yet, current institutionalised ethical standards, which largely follow the tradition of medical ethics, are insufficient to guide transformative researchers in navigating such dilemmas. In addressing this vacuum, the research community has started to develop peer guidance on what constitutes morally good behaviour. These formal and informal guidelines offer a repertoire to explain and justify positions and decisions. However, they are only helpful when they have become a part of researchers’ practical knowledge ‘in situ’. By focusing on situated research practices, the article addresses the need to develop an attitude of leaning into the uncertainty around what morally good behaviour constitutes. It also highlights the significance of combining this attitude with a critical reflexive practice both individually and collaboratively for answering questions around ‘how to’ as well as ‘what is the right thing to do’. Using a collaborative autoethnographic approach, the authors of this paper share their own ethical dilemmas in doing transformative research, discuss those, and relate them to a practical heuristic encompassing axiological, ontological, and epistemological considerations. The aim is to support building practical wisdom for the broader research community about how to navigate ethical questions arising in transformative research practice.

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This deliverable is the outcome of Task 1.1, Theoretical and Conceptual Framework, within
the FABRIX project’s Work Package 1, Theory and Methodology. The document lays out a
comprehensive framework to guide research across the project, which aims to establish
sustainable, regenerative textile and clothing (T&C) ecosystems through local, circular
manufacturing systems in urban areas. By integrating spatial sciences, industrial symbiosis,
and economic geography, FABRIX addresses the fragmented nature of current urban
manufacturing practices and seeks to bridge gaps between economic networks and spatial
environments.

At its core, FABRIX emphasizes the dual concepts of ‘network of spaces’ and ‘space of
networks’ to explore how urban planning and economic systems can mutually support the
shift towards circular and regenerative practices in the T&C sector. The analytical focus is
on rethinking the spatial and network relationships that structure urban manufacturing,
with an emphasis on creating sustainable frameworks that can be scaled across European
cities. The project’s evaluative dimension will assess interventions in urban manufacturing
spaces, identifying spatial configurations that promote or hinder circularity.

Central to the instrumental dimension of FABRIX is the development of the MANTEL
platform, a digital platform of tools that enhances local stakeholders’ capacity to manage
and improve value chains along circular and regenerative pathways. MANTEL targets
facilitators, businesses, and public authorities, equipping them with tools to implement
circular production and foster socioeconomic resilience.@en

Deliverable 1.2, part of WP1 ‘Theory and Methodology’, outlines the methodologies
developed and used for the FABRIX project, which aims to foster the creation of circular
and regenerative textile and clothing (T&C) ecosystems in urban environments. This
document is a continuation of the theoretical and conceptual framework laid out in
Deliverable 1.1, building a bridge from theory to practice. The FABRIX methodology is
designed to integrate spatial design, industrial symbiosis, and value chain analysis to
support the development of localized, circular manufacturing systems.

At the core of the methodology is the exploration of two interrelated concepts: the "space
of network(s)" and the "network of space(s)." These concepts guide FABRIX in addressing
the complex relationships between spatial and economic factors in urban manufacturing.
The project examines how these systems interact and how they can be optimized to
support circular and regenerative production processes, particularly in the cities of Athens
and Rotterdam. Through this approach, FABRIX aims to uncover key insights about how
networks of actors, resources, and institutions can drive local innovation while responding
to global challenges.

The methodology is operationalized through several key stages. These include the
mapping and scoping of existing T&C ecosystems, a visualization methodology that
combines topological and spatial data, and the development of a relational database to
analyse the interaction between various actors and their relationships. Additionally,
interviews with stakeholders—government officials, facilitators, and businesses—will
provide qualitative insights that inform the development of the MANTEL platform, a
digital platform of tools designed to support and guide local value chains by enhancing
collaboration and problem-solving capabilities for facilitators and public and private policy
makers.

FABRIX’s methodological approach emphasizes a co-creation process, with ongoing
interaction and feedback loops between the research team and local stakeholders.
Through open calls, financial support, and workshops, the project will directly engage
facilitators and businesses, empowering them to adopt circular practices and build
collaborative networks. This participatory approach ensures that the solutions developed
are not only theoretically sound but also practically viable in real-world settings.@en