Pauline Deutz is Professor of Circular Economy and Sustainability in the School of Environmental Sciences at the University of Hull, UK.

Walter J.V. Vermeulen is Associate Professor in the Copernicus Institute of Sustainable Development at Utrecht University, the Netherlands.

Rupert J. Baumgartner is Professor of Sustainability Management in the Department of Environmental Systems Sciences at the University of Graz, Austria.

Tomás B. Ramos is Professor of Sustainability Assessment and Planning in the Department of Environmental Sciences and Engineering at the NOVA School of Science and Technology, NOVA University Lisbon, Portugal

Andrea Raggi is Full Professor of Industrial Ecology and related issues in the Department of Economic Studies at 'G. d'Annunzio' University of Chieti-Pescara, Italy.

1. Introduction: Exploring the sustainability implications of a circular economy 2. Approaches to circular economy research 3. Navigating diverse understandings of a circular economy 4. Exploring the role of companies in transitioning to a sustainable and circular future: Insights and reflections 5. Assessment approaches and methods for a circular economy 6. Socio-spatial dimensions of a circular economy 7. Emerging indications of employment in a circular economy: A synthesis of European case studies 8. Policy recommendations for a circular economy 9. Conclusions: Emerging understandings of circular economy realities