In this introduction to this special issue, we have examined issues of scale and non-scalability, inspired by Tsing’s work and recent calls for an ethics of care and responsiveness, thus highlighting the need to develop more care and relationality in the study of complex problems and grand challenges (Beacham, 2018; Benschop, 2021; Böhm et al., 2022; Jeffrey & Thorpe, 2024; Mercier-Roy & Mailhot, 2024; Vijay et al., 2023; Vijay & Monin, 2018). This means recognizing the agency and value of human and nonhuman beings, prioritizing local knowledge, mutual respect, solidarity and coexistence.