The Legitimation theory-building research programme contributes to the development of process theory of legitimation which explains how and why new, emerging phenomena legitimate and institutionalise over time and to building new foundational frameworks for the Sociology of Knowledge (see Knowledge Transfer). It is led by Norman M. Fraser, Adjunct Professor at the Aalborg University Business School and Fellow at Clare Hall, University of Cambridge.

The Legitimation theory-building research programme is grounded in theories of legitimation, institutionalisation and social construction of reality that emerged in a collaborative research since the launch of this programme in 2012 (see Knowledge Transfer). It became an integral part of an EU funded, MSCA ETN project, LNETN - Legitimation of Newness and Its Impact on EU Agenda for Change (see Funding Portfolio).