Insights from Participation in the Development of an Ash-based Concrete Innovation

Sustainable construction materials are essential for reducing the environmental impact of the construction sector, yet innovation in this field remains slow and fragmented. This paper examines how fragmentation shapes the early-stage development of an ash-based concrete innovation within the AshCycle project, and how academic boundary spanning helps navigate these boundaries. Using a qualitative technical case study, the research combines 43 autoethnographic journal entries with 15 semi-structured interviews with academic, industry, and government actors. The findings show that fragmentation occurs at multiple levels: within academia itself, between academia and industry, and between innovators and funders. At the same time, academia uses boundary spanning activities such as knowledge transfer, networking, coordination, and leveraging professional networks to bridge these divides. By linking fragmentation and boundary spanning in early-stage material innovation, the paper contributes a more nuanced understanding of how sustainable construction innovations develop in fragmented environments. Occupants’ Energy-Efficient (EE) Habit and Environmental Concerns: