The “Resources transition“ network intends to strengthen the transfer of knowledge between research institutions and civil society. Knowledge based in civil society organisations is foundational to meeting the threat of social-ecological conflict: knowledge that helps understand questions of fair distribution, knowledge that can provoke political demands, but also knowledge that directly benefits the transformation of economic activity or infrastructures towards less resource intensity. Using this guide following the typical course of a research project, activists in research and civil society can take steps to collaborate in transformative ways.