Sustainable Innovation Think Tank
Some people think sustainability is soft — this cannot be further from the truth. Sustainability is about changing powers structures, avoiding ecological collapse, shifting economic priorities, and fostering global cooperation. Sustainability is one of the hardest things we will ever do.
What are the new ways to create value? How might better governance bring sustainable ideas to market? We call this window of opportunity Sustainable Innovation, and we believe that doing good can be profitable. We take a systems approach, and we host the Global Consortium for Systems Research.
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As the central research body at Unbuilt Labs, we perform an exploratory and evaluative function. All of the activities, observations, and conversations at Unbuilt Labs are synthesized through the Sustainable Innovation Think Tank (SITT).
On a tactical level, SITT distinguishes itself from traditional think tanks in several ways:
We understand that policy is only one of the many tools available to change-makers. Our research has a much broader scope, focusing on responding to the drivers behind global changes.
We engage a much wider range of stakeholders and draw expertise from industry, academia, as well as popular culture. We bring together a brilliant family of thinkers and creatives to address the most pressing challenges of our time.
While long term (5-10 years) macroeconomic trends and forecasts are valuable, we believe the world has gotten significantly more volatile. Early intervention or preventive action requires an understanding of the short (3-6 months) and medium-term (1-2 years) impact of disruptive trends and crises. We specialize in delivering actionable insights within those time-frames.
We do more than build theories. With the support of the Ecosystem, we examine ideas in action and receive feedback on our research. We test our information products much like you would with digital products - through rigorous user research and user testing methods.
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While we will never be the firm for every project, we always recommend potential clients to reach out regardless to grab a virtual coffee. With our vast network, we will be able to tell you during the first meeting several things:
Context: What is the state of the conversation?
Problem: What does emerging literature tell us? Is there a root cause to the challenge you missed?
Method: Does expertise within this area exist? What are the knowledge gaps? Can the challenge be resolved with more knowledge?
Results: What are some promising areas to look into? What might it be able to tell us and what are the limitations?
For new business inquiries, please email Advisory@UnbuiltLabs.com. Thank you for your interest!
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What are the new ways to create value? How might better governance bring sustainable ideas to market? We are looking for publications that meet several criteria:
Use an academic theory to contextualize crises or disruptive trends in a creative way
Help formulate an understanding of what good governance and value creation means today
Provide clear, actionable insights on governance or value creation
Bonus points: if an article is witty or an entertaining read
Crises unfold in real time and we need high quality insights to make informed decisions. We cannot wait until all the information is available before we act - by then it would be too late. We welcome speculative or forward looking perspectives that build on a solid review of existing perspectives.
A cross-disciplinary review panel will review your work prior to publication. This involves consulting not only with experts in your field, but also experts in fields where your research may affect.
To submit a pitch: Email an outline together with a writing sample to pitch@UnbuiltLabs.com. The writing sample can either be an essay you have written in the past, or a paragraph from the piece you intend to publish. We look forward to working with you whether you are a first-time or experienced writer. Please be sure to review more details about the publication process on our page For Authors.
Our Thinkers and Creatives Come From
The Sustainable Innovation Think Tank at Unbuilt Labs hosts the Global Consortium for Systems Research (GCSR). GCSR was convened following the 2013 symposium at The Royal Society, "Global Integrated Assessment: Making Sense of Complexity in an Interdependent World". We study, forecast, and guide systems change to solve grand challenges.
Published Research Packages
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Understanding the New Antitrust Movement Against Big Tech: What is At Stake and What to Expect
This research package by Co-Director Marvin Cheung was presented at ChairX and other venues. While predicting the outcome of these lawsuits is incredibly challenging given the ever-changing regulatory landscape, we can still foresee some of the lawsuits’ business implications based on philosophical debates and historical precedents. Read more
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Post York: the New York flood scenario research package
Unbuilt Labs provided the research to the fact sheet in graphic novel Post York by James Romberger, edited & published by Karen Berger for Berger Books at Dark Horse Comics. James’ artworks are in many public and private collections, including the Metropolitan Museum of Art, Brooklyn Museum, and Harvard Business School. Read more
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Incentive programs to help NYC building owners comply with the Climate Mobilization Act
"The Climate Mobilization Act is the largest climate solution put forth by any city in the world" according to the NYC Mayor's Office of Sustainability. This research package explores the financial incentives for building owners.
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What you need to know about New York's Green New Deal
The Climate Leadership and Community Protection Act (CLCPA) is the ambitious legislation enacted with the goal of reducing New York state emissions to net zero. This research package looks at the advisory panels, nuances of how disadvantaged communities are defined, the heat vulnerability index, and incentive programs. Read more
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The Green Divide: Bridging the attitude-behavior gap in sustainable apparel consumption
Amidst growing concerns about climate change, there have been numerous calls for more sustainable and socially responsible fashion on a global scale. This research package explores how sustainability communications can contribute to behavioural change. Read more
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Sustainable Fashion Across EU and US
What does “sustainable fashion“ mean from a legal point of view? This research package examines some of the major topics from greenwashing litigations to transparency, EU Ecolabel, tax schemes, and quality requirements. Read more
Select Articles
Sounds Green to Me! A Case Study of 'Rendering Sustainable' in US Apparel Websites
Despite accounting for approximately 8% of landfill usage in addition to detrimentally affecting waterways via the improper disposal of dyes or other chemical agents, there remains a potential beacon for hope in correcting some of the major affronts to our environment.
Sea Wall, Coastal Mitigation & the Environmental Price
In the aftermath of Hurricane Sandy the loss of life and property highlighted that the proximity to water, which had once made New York City a global economic powerhouse had become a liability and preventative action would be required. Sandy’s destructive power can largely be attributed to a storm surge of about 9 ft.
New York's Surprisingly Fragile Food Chain
Aside from the climate crisis threatening food production by destabilizing growing regions, sea level rise will distress the infrastructure used to bring that food into New York City.
Climate Change & Zombie Viruses for NYC
While warming and increasingly acidic ocean water will provide existing pathogens a greater foothold in New York City over time, another relevant consideration is the emergence of ‘zombie viruses.’
Foundations of Modern Antitrust Ideologies (1890s – 1970s)
Whereas trusts are illegal, the legality of monopolies is more nuanced. Having monopoly power is not in itself an antitrust violation, though it is a prerequisite for an antitrust charge. At the heart of the argument for the existence of monopolies is Judge Learned Hand’s view in the landmark case United States v. Alcoa: “The successful competitor, having been urged to compete, must not be turned upon when he wins.”
Historical Developments of The Chicago School’s Approach Towards Antitrust (late 1970s – mid 2010s)
The Chicago School believed a laissez-faire approach with minimum government intervention would result in the most efficient allocation of resources, assuming that a self-correcting market composed of rational actors would maximize their own self-interest.
The New Brandeis Ideology (mid 2010s – Present): On the Dangers of Monopoly Power
Most of the New Brandeisians’ arguments focus on the way monopolies by their very nature concentrate power among several individuals and the danger of affording digital oligarchs a disproportionate amount of power.
Platform and Power: A Case Study on Amazon
Examining the Business Implications of Amazon’s Anti-Competitive Conduct and Congressional Investigation’s Policy Recommendations