The term ‘pathways’, in the STEPS project, is used to refer to the particular directions in which interacting social, technological and environmental systems co-evolve over time.

A ‘pathways’ approach recognises that social systems, technologies and their diffusion, as well as environmental conditions, change in interactive dynamic ways. These interactions can be complex, uncertain and non-linear, and create multiple pathways – some threatening poor people’s livelihoods, while others create new opportunities for sustainability.

This is the second in a series of seven briefings on our Maize project.