Sustainability-focused research networks and communities of practice have emerged as a key
response and strategy to build capacity and knowledge to support transformation towards
more sustainable, just and equitable futures. This paper synthesises insights from the development
of a community of practice on social-ecological systems (SES) research in southern
Africa over the past decade, linked to the international Programme on Ecosystem Change and
Society (PECS). This community consists of a network of researchers who carry out placebased
SES research in the southern African region. They interact through various cross-cutting
working groups and also host a variety of public colloquia and student and practitioner
training events. Known as the Southern African Program on Ecosystem Change and Society
(SAPECS), its core objectives are to: (1) derive new approaches and empirical insights on SES
dynamics in the southern African context; (2) have a tangible impact by mainstreaming
knowledge into policy and practice; and (3) grow the community of practice engaged in
SES research and governance, including researchers, students and practitioners. This paper
reflects on experiences in building the SAPECS community, with the aim of supporting the
development of similar networks elsewhere in the world, particularly in the Global South.
