21 October 2016
Collaboration, innovation, ideas and enterprise are at the heart of the University of South Australia’s Science Creativity Education Studio (Sci.C.Ed) that is proudly hosting a number of events during Open State.
Open State is bringing more than 10,000 people together across ten days to explore how open and transparent decision making, innovation and enterprise can help address challenges like transforming our economy, climate change and rapidly changing technologies
Director of Sci.C.Ed Studio, Dr Kristin Alford, is excited about the opportunities Open State is providing for UniSA to inspire creative minds, challenge convention and connecting at the interface of science, art and innovation.
“An ‘Open State’ is a state that welcomes new ideas that transform the way we live, not just from experts but from dialogue between people,” Dr Alford says.
“When a diverse range of people come together from communities, governments and businesses with a common purpose, we can become a powerful force for change.
“The range of events we are running are exciting and inventive and include Foresight 2050 – an opportunity for those involved to investigate the scenarios that will likely challenge Australians in the future.
“Over three half-day workshops from October 24-26 participants will be identifying personal and organisational actions that enable economically prosperous, environmentally sustainable and socially equitable futures.
“A diverse group of experts will be joining the participants in exploring scenarios of growth, restraint, catastrophe and transformation.”
The workshops will be embedded in an experience that includes matched food for each scenario type and the creation of a street mural by UniSA visual artists Thom Buchanan and Christian Loch supported by students, which in turn will become SciCEd’s first exhibition, 18 months before its physical space opens.
Joining Dr Alford will be expert facilitators for the event include Action Foresight and Victoria University’s José Ramos, Swinburne University designer Bridgette Engeler, CSIRO social-ecological systems researcher, Dr Nicky Grigg from CSIRO and Crawford School of Public Policy (ANU) specialist, Dr Steve Cork (ACT).
“In South Australia, we’re not facing unique challenges but we are facing them earlier,” Dr Alford says.
“There are a lot changes coming to future of work through digital disruption, automation and climate adaptation.
“We need new types of thinking and new ways of working together if we are to approach these challenges imaginatively and effectively."
UniSA’s is also running a workshop from 2-4.30pm on October 23 where young adults will be helping to shape the future for SciCEd by using design thinking and prototyping stories with Lego.
“The design workshop will be facilitated by myself and Bridgette Engeler, an accredited LEGO (TM) Serious Play facilitator from Swinburne University, and young people will get a chance to engage in learning outside a school environment,” Dr Alford says.
“The other event this weekend is the inaugural University of South Australia Enterprise Oration with guest speaker José Ramos and a panel with guests including Scott Smith from Changeist in Amsterdam and Bridgette Engeler.
“This event forms part of the Adelaide Festival of Ideas taking place all weekend.
“The oration is from 12:30 – 1:30pm in the Allan Scott Theatre and we'll be exploring models of participatory citizenship and asking if there are alternatives to techno-centric capitalism when we consider the future of cities.”
Dr Kristin Alford is a futurist and the inaugural Director of the Science Creativity Education (Sci.C.Ed) Studio at the University of South Australia. Her mind is presently occupied by the future of work and provoking young adults to ask questions about the role of science at the intersection of art and innovation.
Foresight 2050: How can science inform the future?
October 24-26th South Australian Museum – Pacific Cultures Gallery
University of South Australia Enterprise Oration delivered by José Ramos
Saturday 22 October 2016 12.30 - 1.30pm
Allan Scott Auditorium, Hawke building, UniSA City West campus
Media Contact: Katrina McLachlan office (08) 8302 0961 mobile 0414 972 537 email katrina.mclachlan@unisa.edu.au
