Exploring Sustainable Futures Game, 9 July 2024, 09:30-17:00

As researchers, 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 an exciting opportunity to play the Exploring Sustainable Futures Game, developed by Cranfield University’s Sustainable Business Group and The Beeworx Change Agency. 

Hosted in the Chemical Engineering Building at the University of Birmingham campus, you will practice decision-making for climate resilience through an immersive game workshop, hear from leading academics, and engage with others from the wider sector working towards decarbonisation. 

To build on your experience, you can apply your learning in your research field to strengthen your real-world response to strategic challenges and opportunities and navigate these responses with different stakeholders across your network. 

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: 

1. Stakeholder Engagement and Collaboration 
2. Systems Thinking 
3. Purpose-Led 
4. Strategic Sustainability 
5. 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 an holistic approach by working with a wide range of actors across the infrastructure, cities and energy sectors.

What to expect on the day:

• 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 University of Birmingham and Cranfield University, setting the context for the game with a focus on infrastructure, cities, energy and the decarbonisation agenda.

Who should attend? 

Aimed at postdoctoral researchers, late-stage PhD students, early career academics and industrial partners in the infrastructure, cities and energy arenas, 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.

Funding:

The cost of this course will be fully subsidised by C-DICE.  Please be advised that in booking a place you are committing to attend the training and that your University could be charged if you do not attend without cancelling by the closing date.

Funding available:

This training is eligible for the C-DICE travel and carer funds.

Travel Fund:

C-DICE has established a fund to help postdoctoral researchers attend face-to-face C-DICE events where they may otherwise not have the funds to do so. C-DICE will contribute up to £150 towards the cost of travel and/or an overnight stay. Attendance at this training is eligible for a C-DICE travel grant. More details can be found here.

Caring Support Fund:

If you are accepted to join the training but your caring responsibilities could present a barrier to participation, you can apply for the Caring Support Fund to meet additional costs. The purpose of the C-DICE Caring Support Fund is to help postdoctoral researchers with caring responsibilities to offset the additional costs of caring incurred by taking part in a C-DICE activity. More details can be found here.

How to Register: 

If you are a C-DICE-affiliate researcher, you can apply via Inkpath using the ‘Book Online’ at the bottom of this page.

If you are not affiliated with C-DICE, please contact Caroline Harris.

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 

Links:

Follow this link to review video stories and testimonials from those who have participated in this immersive game experience.  ESF Stories

Cranfield Sustainable Business Group

For further details about the Cranfield Sustainable Business School, or the Exploring Sustainable Futures game experience, please contact Caroline Harris:

Caroline Harris, Game Project and Event Manager, Caroline.Harris@cranfield.ac.uk