Anglia Ruskin University

Creative thinking in the redesign of individual and global systems is crucial to meet the scale of complex challenges posed by resources scarcity and environmental limits.

Since mid-way through the 20th century, humans' impact on natural systems, and consumption of finite resources, has increased exponentially. It appears we are headed towards a future characterised by growing inequality, volatility and fragility. Incremental changes to society's prevailing values and our globally dominating systems must be accelerated if we hope to rise to the unparalleled challenge we now face.

On May 15th 2013 the Global Sustainability Institute (GSI) will host its 1st Annual Research Conference on the theme of "Big Challenges, Creative Solutions". The innovative conference structure will provide a platform for open discussion and genuine collaboration between actors across academia, politics, business, finance, science, economics, health, education, art, the creative industries, and beyond. Our aim will be to develop creative cross-sector solutions to help deliver a sustainable future, and that delegates develop credible future partnerships and ideally joint funding opportunities.

Confirmed speakers include; Jane Davidson - former Minister for Environment and Sustainability in Wales (Keynote), Eileen Donnelly - Head of CSR at John Lewis, Deborah Doane - Director of the World Development Movement, Brett Day - Economist at The University of East Anglia, and Craig Bennett - Director of Policy and Campaigns at Friends of the Earth.

The Global Sustainability Institute (GSI) was launched in 2012 as part of Anglia Ruskin University's commitment to sustainability in research and teaching. Sustainability envisages a just society of innovation, opportunity and wellbeing which manages the full diversity of environmental risks. By furthering our understanding of the global systems that lock us unto unsustainable futures, and the individual's power to influence those systems, the institute can contribute to sizable advances towards sustainability.