Future Life Conference
A step beyond
Professor Sarah BekessyProfessor/ARC Future Fellow at RMIT University
Professor Sarah Bekessy leads the ICON Science research group at RMIT University which uses interdisciplinary approaches to solve complex biodiversity conservation problems. She is particularly interested in understanding the role of human behaviour in conservation and in designing cities to encourage ‘every day nature’ experiences. She co-developed the Biodiversity Sensitive Urban Design protocol that has now been used by numerous developers, governments and non-government organisations to design innovative urban biodiversity strategies.
Professor Sarah BekessyProfessor/ARC Future Fellow at RMIT University
Professor Sarah Bekessy leads the ICON Science research group at RMIT University which uses interdisciplinary approaches to solve complex biodiversity conservation problems. She is particularly interested in understanding the role of human behaviour in conservation and in designing cities to encourage ‘every day nature’ experiences. She co-developed the Biodiversity Sensitive Urban Design protocol that has now been used by numerous developers, governments and non-government organisations to design innovative urban biodiversity strategies.
Sarah-Tilly BrownDesign Thinking Lead at GHD
A true believer in maintaining and incorporating the human voice, Sarah-Tilly is the Design Thinking Lead for GHD Digital’s D-Lab team. Having worked across several industry sectors including tier one clients in higher education, utilities and facilities management, Sarah-Tilly collaborates with her clients to create valuable, intriguing and innovative products, services, capabilities and cultures.
Eager to share her passion for human centred design, innovation and Design Thinking, Sarah-Tilly is an active member within the higher education sector, working as a sessional lecturer at RMIT Online and guest lecturer at the University of Melbourne.
Sarah-Tilly BrownDesign Thinking Lead at GHD
A true believer in maintaining and incorporating the human voice, Sarah-Tilly is the Design Thinking Lead for GHD Digital’s D-Lab team. Having worked across several industry sectors including tier one clients in higher education, utilities and facilities management, Sarah-Tilly collaborates with her clients to create valuable, intriguing and innovative products, services, capabilities and cultures.
Eager to share her passion for human centred design, innovation and Design Thinking, Sarah-Tilly is an active member within the higher education sector, working as a sessional lecturer at RMIT Online and guest lecturer at the University of Melbourne.
Dr. Amanda CahillCEO of The Next Economy and founder of the Centre for Social Change
Amanda is the CEO of The Next Economy and founder of the Centre for Social Change. She has spent nearly 25 years working with inspiring people all around the world to create positive change on issues as diverse as livelihoods and economic development; health and wellbeing, women’s empowerment; and climate change action.
Over the last five years she has been working with communities across Australia to strengthen regional economies by embracing the transition from fossil fuels to a zero emissions economy. Amanda has a PhD in Human Geography from The Australian National University and is an Associate of the University of Queensland and the Sydney Policy Lab.
Dr. Amanda CahillCEO of The Next Economy and founder of the Centre for Social Change
Amanda is the CEO of The Next Economy and founder of the Centre for Social Change. She has spent nearly 25 years working with inspiring people all around the world to create positive change on issues as diverse as livelihoods and economic development; health and wellbeing, women’s empowerment; and climate change action.
Over the last five years she has been working with communities across Australia to strengthen regional economies by embracing the transition from fossil fuels to a zero emissions economy. Amanda has a PhD in Human Geography from The Australian National University and is an Associate of the University of Queensland and the Sydney Policy Lab.
Dr Ollie CotsaftisIndustry Fellow and Lecturer at RMIT University School of Design
Dr Olivier Cotsaftis is a post-disciplinary designer navigating the spaces between presents, futures, fictions and realities. At RMIT University School of Design, his research addresses climate resilience and social innovation in urban heterotopias. Ollie is also the founder and creative director of future ensemble studio and the co-founder of Speculative Futures Melbourne—the Melbourne Chapter of The Design Futures Initiative.
Dr Ollie CotsaftisIndustry Fellow and Lecturer at RMIT University School of Design
Dr Olivier Cotsaftis is a post-disciplinary designer navigating the spaces between presents, futures, fictions and realities. At RMIT University School of Design, his research addresses climate resilience and social innovation in urban heterotopias. Ollie is also the founder and creative director of future ensemble studio and the co-founder of Speculative Futures Melbourne—the Melbourne Chapter of The Design Futures Initiative.
Nigel DaltonLuminary at ThoughtWorks
ThoughtWorker, Social Scientist at SuperProductive; blogger & podcaster; agility, systems-thinking and lean-doing advocate; passionate garage musician & cyclist.
Nigel DaltonLuminary at ThoughtWorks
ThoughtWorker, Social Scientist at SuperProductive; blogger & podcaster; agility, systems-thinking and lean-doing advocate; passionate garage musician & cyclist.
Dr. Kate FoxAssociate professor in engineering at RMIT University
Kate is an associate professor in engineering at RMIT University. Kate is an experienced biomedical engineer working at the interface between engineering and medicine for over 10 years. Kate works used 3D printing to develop novel materials for biomedical manufacturing. Kate is a Superstar of STEM, Vic Tall Poppy and 2019’s Engineers Australia’s Most Innovative Engineer. She has worked on a number of cool projects such as the Bionic Eye and in her current challenge she is trying to 3D print diamond and put CT scanners into helicopters.
Dr. Kate FoxAssociate professor in engineering at RMIT University
Kate is an associate professor in engineering at RMIT University. Kate is an experienced biomedical engineer working at the interface between engineering and medicine for over 10 years. Kate works used 3D printing to develop novel materials for biomedical manufacturing. Kate is a Superstar of STEM, Vic Tall Poppy and 2019’s Engineers Australia’s Most Innovative Engineer. She has worked on a number of cool projects such as the Bionic Eye and in her current challenge she is trying to 3D print diamond and put CT scanners into helicopters.
Tim McBrideBusiness Development Manager, Tesla Energy Products - APAC
Tim is focused on growing Tesla’s presence in the residential storage market across Asia Pacific. He has spent the last 4 years at Tesla building and supporting a network of Certified Installers across Australia and New Zealand, with a goal of helping their customers transition to solar and battery technology. He has a background in Industrial Design which is where he developed a passion for products that have the ability to change the world. Before joining Tesla, he worked at Apple for 8 years in Business Development and Consumer Sales in both Australia and Malaysia. More recently while at Tesla, he has been working on the roll-out of Tesla’s first Virtual Power Plant projects outside of the US.
Tim McBrideBusiness Development Manager, Tesla Energy Products - APAC
Tim is focused on growing Tesla’s presence in the residential storage market across Asia Pacific. He has spent the last 4 years at Tesla building and supporting a network of Certified Installers across Australia and New Zealand, with a goal of helping their customers transition to solar and battery technology. He has a background in Industrial Design which is where he developed a passion for products that have the ability to change the world. Before joining Tesla, he worked at Apple for 8 years in Business Development and Consumer Sales in both Australia and Malaysia. More recently while at Tesla, he has been working on the roll-out of Tesla’s first Virtual Power Plant projects outside of the US.
Agustinus "Gus" NalwanHead of AI and Machine Learning at Carsales
Gus is an AWS Machine Learning Hero has an extensive experience in Deep Learning and also loves speaking on AI and future tech related topics at various AI conferences.
Agustinus "Gus" NalwanHead of AI and Machine Learning at Carsales
Gus is an AWS Machine Learning Hero has an extensive experience in Deep Learning and also loves speaking on AI and future tech related topics at various AI conferences.
Pete SaundersChief Operations Officer, TALi Health
Pete is the COO of TALi Health (ASX:TD1), a tech company pioneering development of software solutions to address neurological conditions in early childhood. He previously co-founded the first Australian technology platform able to create personalised meal plans with clinical accuracy. He was twice a Victorian Entrepreneur of the Year finalist, EU-Australia Emerging Leader, World Economic Forum Global Shapers Advisory Council member and Australian of the Year nominee.
Pete SaundersChief Operations Officer, TALi Health
Pete is the COO of TALi Health (ASX:TD1), a tech company pioneering development of software solutions to address neurological conditions in early childhood. He previously co-founded the first Australian technology platform able to create personalised meal plans with clinical accuracy. He was twice a Victorian Entrepreneur of the Year finalist, EU-Australia Emerging Leader, World Economic Forum Global Shapers Advisory Council member and Australian of the Year nominee.
Dr. Viktoria Komornik and Gabor DevenyiConference hosts at Circles Events
Viki and Gabor are the people behind the conference and they will act as the MCs for the day.
Dr. Viktoria Komornik and Gabor DevenyiConference hosts at Circles Events
Viki and Gabor are the people behind the conference and they will act as the MCs for the day.
Schedule
We’re currently building the agenda of the conference. We continuously announce new speakers and prepare an exciting program. This is the current, draft program:
| Start | Topics | Speaker | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 8:30 | Registration | -- | |
| 9:00 | Introduction to the conference | -- |  |
| 9:10 | Embracing Change: Emerging Opportunities for a Brighter Future | Dr. Amanda Cahill |  |
| 10:00 | Students of today, workforce of tomorrow | Sarah-Tilly Brown, Design Thinking Lead at GHD |  |
| 10:30 | Morning tea | -- | |
| 11:00 | Tesla’s Secret Master Plan | Tim McBride |  |
| 11:30 | The future of health is in your hand (or possibly inside you) | Pete Saunders COO |  |
| 12:00 | The Future of Workforce = Human + Machine | Agustinus "Gus" Nalwan, Head of AI and Machine Learning at Carsales |  |
| 12:30 | Lunch | -- | -- |
| 13:30 | The critical role of ‘everyday nature’ for the future of cities | Professor Sarah Bekessy, Professor/ARC Future Fellow at RMIT University |  |
| 14:00 | Living Architecture and the Bioeconomy | Dr. Ollie Cotsaftis |  |
| 14:30 | How can engineers use new technologies to build a human 2.0 | Dr. Kate Fox |  |
| 15:00 | Afternoon tea | -- | |
| 15:30 | Future Business Strategy: hire a teenager | Nigel Dalton, Founder and Social Scientist at SuperProductive |  |
| 16:00 | Panel discussion | featuring Anna (high-school student) | -- |
| 17:00 | Conference close and drinks | -- | -- |
