Date: 9 July 2024
Time: 09:30 - 17:00 BST
Location: Engineering Building, University of Birmingham
Across society, we are struggling to navigate the complexities of climate change and transition to net-zero carbon emissions.
It is clear that 'business-as-usual' thinking and practices are not up to the task.
The big question is, what is?
C-DICE are delighted to bring you a unique opportunity to play the Exploring Sustainable Futures game, developed by Cranfield University's Sustainable Business Group and The Beeworx Change Agency.
C-DICE is the UK’s largest postdoctoral development programme, aiming to build and sustain the advanced skills base required to create a pipeline of world-class talent for the Infrastructure, Cities and Energy (IC&E) sectors, and accelerate progress towards a net-zero society. We are gathering researchers, and actors involved in the energy sector in the Engineering Building at the University of Birmingham campus, where you will practice decision-making for climate resilience through an immersive game workshop, hear from leading academics, and engage with others from diverse sectors who are also working towards decarbonisation.
Hear from academics from University of Birmingham and Cranfield University setting the context for the game with a focus on infrastructure, cities, energy and the decarbonisation agenda. Take this knowledge back to your role to strengthen your real-world response to strategic challenges and opportunities - and your ability to navigate these with different stakeholders in your network. Determine whether this game workshop will benefit others in your organisation and find out how to play with us in the future.
Why join us?
Wicked problems require novel systemic approaches.
We are all on an uncharted decarbonisation journey that requires new skills and competencies.
While the learning from this game is multi-faceted, the workshop will focus on the Leadership Competencies for Sustainability, as identified by Professor David Grayson and Dr Rosina Watson:
- Stakeholder Engagement and Collaboration
- Systems Thinking
- Purpose-Led
- Strategic Sustainability
- Future Thinking
This immersive, participatory experience builds these critical competencies by engaging our creativity and imagination, alongside our critical thinking.
Join us to explore deeply serious topics with the playful curiosity needed to move beyond our limits.
What will you learn?
- Strengthen deep leadership competencies through role play and collaboration.
- Consider how to effect change as an individual working within an organisation.
- Rehearse navigating complex change in relationships with stakeholders in a psychologically safe space that encourages experimentation.
- Develop and test strategies in the context of an increasingly volatile, uncertain and complex future.
- Apply a holistic approach by working with a wide range of actors across the infrastructure, cities and energy sectors.
What to expect?
- Travel through time and experience emerging climate-related risks and opportunities, responding to news headlines in future decades as key actors and influencers in society.
- Engage in curious conversations and grow your network with motivated changemakers.
- Hear from academics from UoB and Cranfield University setting the context for the game with a focus on infrastructure, cities, energy and the decarbonisation agenda.
- Light lunch and refreshments will be provided through the day. There is also a bar outside the room for drinks after the event where snacks and drinks are available for purchase.
Who should attend?
This game will help you gain perspective in your own context, regardless of specific research field.
You should attend if:
- You are curious about how the wider sustainability agenda could influence and impact your research.
- You believe that systemic change is needed to tackle the scale of the climate crisis.
- You are facing complex challenges and are looking for effective learning experiences to address them.
- You are looking for an inspiring and memorable experience to inform your future work.
- You are interested in interdisciplinary working.
How to register
Please use this form to apply for a space:
If you are a C-DICE-affiliate researcher, visit this website to register for a funded space:
If you would like to discuss which route is right for you, you should contact Karen Parks, C-DICE Training Manager karen.parks@cranfield.ac.uk