de Jager, Lynn A.Bal, MichèlleBaudena, Maravan den Broek, Karlijn L.Davis, NatalieDijkstra, Henk A.Dorresteijn, IneKamphuis, Carlijn B. M.Lykourentzou, IoannaGarcía Mayor, Ángeles PilarOmodei, ElisaAlvial Palavicino, CarlaStok, Marijnvan Bruggen, Anne R.Wieners, Claudia E.Zimmermann, SiljaDermody, Brian J.2026-03-162026-03-162025-08-23De Jager, L. A., Bal, M., Baudena, M., Van Den Broek, K. L., Davis, N., Dijkstra, H. A., Dorresteijn, I., Kamphuis, C. B. M., Lykourentzou, I., Mayor, Á. G., Omodei, E., Alvial Palavicino, C., Stok, M., Van Bruggen, A. R., Wieners, C. E., Zimmermann, S., & Dermody, B. J. (2025). Transdisciplinary complexity science: Deepening system understanding for sustainability. Humanities and Social Sciences Communications, 12(1384). https://doi.org/10.1057/s41599-025-05548-72662-999210.1057/s41599-025-05548-7https://hdl.handle.net/20.500.14352/134028This research was funded by a "Complexity of Sustainability" grant from the Pathways to Sustainability strategic theme, Utrecht University, and the Centre for Complex Systems Studies, Department of Physics, Utrecht University. Additional funding was provided by the Copernicus Institute of Sustainable Development, Faculty of Geosciences, Utrecht University.The complex and contextual nature of sustainability challenges demands an approach that integrates quantitative complexity science with transdisciplinary approaches to create an integrated understanding of system change. We present a systematic literature analysis from an emerging field we term Transdisciplinary Complexity Science for Sustainability and derive best practices for how this research approach can foster learning and action for sustainability. Based on our analyses, we identify key areas for future research and provide concrete recommendations for carrying out Transdisciplinary Complexity Science for Sustainability.engAttribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivatives 4.0 Internationalhttp://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-nd/4.0/journal articlehttps://doi.org/10.1057/s41599-025-05548-7open access502:504.3/.6:30Transdisciplinary complexity scienceSustainabilitySystem understandingMedio ambiente natural24 Ciencias de la Vida