Putting the process in developmental processes

Several signs point to a strengthening of our capabilities for rigorously modelling developmental processes and other kinds of changes. The indicators of progress range from stronger formulations of “systems thinking” and definitions through measurement and design considerations to advanced mathematical representations, such as linear and nonlinear dynamical systems models. We believe these advances offer major improvements for the treatment of process and related concepts as they have evolved thus far largely within the meta-model of stability and equilibrium that has dominated much of science (Holling, 1973). These issues are summarised and some of the promising innovations that we believe will make the coming decades highly productive ones for the study of development will be discussed.