The transdisciplinary research mode has gained prominence in the research on and for sustainability transformations. Yet, solution-oriented research addressing complex sustainability problems has become complex itself, with new transdisciplinary research formats being developed and tested for this purpose. Application of new formats offers learning potentials from experience. To this end, we accompanied fourteen research projects conceptualized as real-world labs (RwLs) from 2015 to 2018. RwLs were part of a funding program on ‘Science for Sustainability’ in the German federal state of Baden-Württemberg. Here, we combine conceptual and empirical work to a structured collection of experiences and provide a comprehensive account of RwLs. First, we outline characteristics of RwLs as transformation oriented, transdisciplinary research approach, using experiments, enabling learning and having a long-term orientation. Second, we outline eleven success factors and concrete design notes we gained through a survey of the 14 RwLs: (1) find the right balance between scientific and societal aims, (2) address the practitioners needs and restrictions, (3) make use of the experimentation concept, (4) actively communicate, (5) develop a ‘collaboration culture’, (6) be attached to concrete sites, (7) create lasting impact and transferability, (8) plan for sufficient time and financial means, (9) adaptability, (10) research-based learning, and (11) recognize dependency on external actors. Characteristics and success factors are combined to illustrate practical challenges in RwLs. Third, we show which methods could be used to cope with challenges in RwLs. We conclude discussing the state of debate on RwLs and outline future avenues of research.

跨学科研究模式在可持续性转变研究中以及在可持续性转变研究中都得到了重视。然而，解决复杂的可持续性问题的以解决方案为导向的研究本身已经变得很复杂，为此已经开发和测试了新的跨学科研究形式。新格式的应用提供了从经验中学习的潜力。为此，我们在2015年至2018年期间进行了14个被概念化为现实世界实验室（RwL）的研究项目。RwL是德国联邦巴登-符腾堡州“可持续科学”资助计划的一部分。在这里，我们将概念和实证工作结合到经验的结构化集合中，并对RwL进行了全面介绍。首先，我们概述了RwL的特征，将其作为面向转型的跨学科研究方法，使用实验，使学习成为可能并具有长期的发展方向。其次，我们概述了通过对14个RwL进行调查而获得的11个成功因素和具体的设计说明：（1）在科学和社会目标之间找到适当的平衡；（2）解决从业者的需求和限制；（3）利用实验概念，（4）积极沟通，（5）建立“协作文化”，（6）贴近具体地点，（7）产生持久的影响和可移植性，（8）计划足够的时间和财务手段，（ 9）适应性，（10）基于研究的学习，以及（11）认识到对外部参与者的依赖。结合特征和成功因素来说明RwL中的实际挑战。第三，我们说明可以使用哪些方法来应对RwL中的挑战。