Tim Tompson and Sebastian Wolf Siebzehnrübl
PANEL: John Thackara, Michelle Miller, and Valentine de Ganay
Current systems are unsustainable and inadequate to address complex challenges such as climate change and inequality (Andreotti, 2021). Progress is often blocked by conflicts between global pressures and local realities.
How do we shift from collapse (Meadows et al., 1972) to transformative change (Kuhn, 1962)?
The session invites a collective exploration of global-local tensions across diverse fields such as urban planning, bioregional regeneration, and food systems. By “living the question” (Rilke, 1913), we focus on identifying transversal, systemically informed practices, universal indicators, and regionally adapted solutions. This requires embracing collective sensemaking, collaborative filtering, and a dynamic balance between what to attach to and what to detach from in creating place-based identities.
This session emphasises the power of transdisciplinary work, pattern recognition, and solidarity to build resilience. Grounded in systemic design, it explores the tensions between global and local forces, seeking common ground to navigate these effectively.
Through co-reflection and collaborative inquiry, panellists and participants will explore patterns of resilience, fostering adaptable, sustainable solutions in bioregional development.
This session adopts an attitude of playful inquiry, initiated by an inquiring question and followed by iterative cycles of inquiry. In an interplay amongst and between panellists and participants—in active listening, conversation, individual as well as shared reflection, and silence—we will be living the question.
PANEL
John Thackara
John Thackara is a writer, advisor and event producer. He is the author of many books, including the influential In the Bubble: Designing In A Complex World (MIT Press).
Michelle Miller
Michelle is currently a Research Scientist at CSIRO, working in Design for Sustainability Transitions with the Net Zero Mission. She has 20 years of experience supporting collaborative teams and groups to apply design-based approaches in the context of transitions, regional capacity building, strategy, services, products, entrepreneurship, and social innovation. Her work focuses on building capacity, capability, and agency across agriculture, industry, and regional areas to accelerate systemic change.
Valentine de Ganay
Sustainable agriculture advocate, Valentine de Ganay is the Founder and Director of Jardins de Courances, Co-Founder of EUfarms and Co-Founder of Saltus Campus, a high school dedicated to agroecology
Organisers
Tim Tompson is co-founder of Snowmelt, a consultancy that helps to build the capabilities, relationships, and practices needed to start and sustain change. Tim brings people together in new ways to enable better conversations. His impact lies in bridging the gap between complexity and simplicity, helping to shape effective pathways in challenging contexts. He has honed unique expertise in employing design-led and systems-based approaches to complex challenges—from his work with several consultancies since 2010 and his years of education, which includes a PhD in Planning & Urban Development from UNSW and Industrial Design and Arts International Studies at UTS. Tim is dedicated to educating emerging practitioners, lecturing in design and engineering management at UTS, and previously UNSW. He coaches new entrants into Sydney’s local startup ecosystem and stretches his curiosities through many side projects. Tim spends a lot of time in Australian bushland, a familiar context from his childhood, where he learned first hand how systems work. LinkedIn
Sebastian Wolf Siebzehnrübl, founder of The Likehearted (formerly Systemic Design Group), is a seasoned systemic strategy consultant with over 20 years of experience. He is committed to bridging the gap between powerlessness and participation by empowering individuals and organisations to discover their unique and shared impact. As a collaborator with Context Collective, Sebastian leverages his expertise in systemic design, digital transformation, and human-centred research to tackle complex global challenges. His work focuses on re-evaluating foundational practices, fostering innovation, and exploring sustainable value creation. Sebastian also serves as a Community Curator for the IFSR (International Federation for Systems Research). Educated at Cornell University, Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin, and the University of Bayreuth, Sebastian holds degrees in soil health, systemic organisational development and an MBA in marketing and finance. His mission is to create clarity in complexity by connecting people with topics, envisioning new futures, and designing transformative practices. LinkedIn
SELECT BIBLIOGRAPHY
- Jones, P. H. (2014). Design for care: Innovating healthcare experience. New York: Rosenfeld Media.
- Buchanan, R. (1992). Wicked problems in design thinking. Design Issues, 8(2), 5–21.
- Manzini, E. (2015). Design, when everybody designs: An introduction to design for social innovation. MIT Press.
- Meadows, D. H. (2008). Thinking in systems: A primer. Chelsea Green Publishing.
- Walker, B., Holling, C. S., Carpenter, S. R., & Kinzig, A. (2004). Resilience, adaptability.
- Jones, P. H., & van Dijk, J. (2015). Design thinking: Understanding how designers think and work. Berg Publishers.
- Tompson, T. (2022). What is Systemic design? Snowmelt blog. https://www.snowmelt.io/articles/what-is-systemic-design