TY - JOUR AB - Purpose The paper aims to provide a conceptual map of how to mediate between sustainability theory and practice in higher education and how disciplinary divides can be bridged. It further looks at issues linked to knowledge views and drivers for institutional change that affect opportunities for whole institution development promoting action preparedness.Design/methodology/approach Taking its point of departure in the University Educators for Sustainable Development report UE4SD (2014, 2015), the paper discusses ways that ideas and interaction can be mediated in higher education settings, to connect sustainability research with vocational programmes. Different options are considered and compared.Findings Although the literature stresses both action orientation and the need for holistic transdisciplinary approaches, many institutional drivers limit opportunities for more integrating approaches.Research limitations/implications However, while conclusions may hold for universities at an overarching level, it is likely that certain research and teaching environments have been able to transcend such barriers.Practical implications Conceptually mapping the different forms that dialogue, interaction and flows of ideas take within higher education institutions has relevance for whole institution development for sustainability.Social implications Importantly, producing sustainability science with relevance to practice in various professions is a fundamental condition to support accelerated transitions to sustainability at societal levels.Originality/value The paper makes a significant contribution by focusing on concrete institutional pathways for knowledge exchange and negotiation that can support education for sustainability in higher education. VL - 18 IS - 5 SN - 1467-6370 DO - 10.1108/IJSHE-03-2016-0039 UR - https://doi.org/10.1108/IJSHE-03-2016-0039 AU - Avery Helen AU - Nordén Birgitta PY - 2017 Y1 - 2017/01/01 TI - Working with the divides: Two critical axes in development for transformative professional practices T2 - International Journal of Sustainability in Higher Education PB - Emerald Publishing Limited SP - 666 EP - 680 Y2 - 2024/03/29 ER -