A call to action has been made for action research to more intentionally support sustainability approaches that shift current pathways that are leading to ecological and social destruction. Action researchers are being “called to contribute to conversations-for-change about ways of knowing, doing and being that invite us to develop shared learning platforms, alongside people with a stake in transforming structural forces that inhibit thriving”. In this essay, the authors introduce a collection of articles that showcase how action research is already supporting this goal, and deepening understanding of the potential transformative power of action research practice and theory.