Transformations Conference 2023

The Institute for Sustainable Futures (ISF) and the UTS Transdisciplinary School co-hosted the 2023 Transformations Conference in July this year. Over three days, a transdisciplinary cohort of academics, practitioners and creatives met at UTS in Sydney to share the latest thinking in sustainability transformations, and to vision futures that are sustainable, regenerative, just, and equitable. 

The Transformations Conference is an initiative of the Europe-based Transformations Community, a global network of scholars, practitioners and artists working to facilitate transformative change towards sustainable Futures. In alignment with the Sydney conference, the Transformations Community also ran a series of satellite events – in Prague and Portland (Maine) – and a robust online program. In total, more than 400 speakers and 700 delegates came together to explore the theme of 'transformative partnerships for a better world'.  

The conference in Sydney was co-chaired by Professor Chris Riedy (ISF) and Dr Susanne Pratt (UTS Transdisciplinary School). Here, Chris Riedy gives his event highlights… 

“There was a strong Indigenous voice throughout the conference, starting with a moving Welcome to Country by Aunty Rhonda Dixon-Grovenor. Later in the day, researchers from the Jumbunna Institute for Indigenous Education and Research offered a masterclass in the practice of Indigenous recognition in an inspiring panel session on Restoring Country and Revitalising Economies. 

The conference had a strong focus on dialogue and transformative practice, with many sessions using workshop formats and providing plenty of space for long conversations. Participants also engaged in creative practice and could visit a 'sensemaking space' to reflect on what was emerging at the conference. 

Many thanks to all the partners that helped to make the conference such a great success, including our Gold Sponsor CSIRO, Lush Catering, Catalyst Events and the amazing team at Plate it Forward.” 

Several sessions at the Sydney Transformations Conference 2023 were visually interpreted by creative agency Sha8peshifters. The visuals were captured live as responses to the main themes of each session.  

This visualisation captured Indigenous transformation giving voice to Country and People, a presentation by Professor Anne Poelina and Professor Heidi Norman (UTS), in which they explored what partnership means for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples in Australia and what do we need to transform if we are to forge partnerships that deliver better outcomes for Indigenous people and for Country.