Launch of the RMIT Regenerative Futures Institute

14 May 2026
05:30pm - 07:00pm
FREE
The Capitol
113 Swanston Street, Melbourne

RMIT University invites you to the launch of the Regenerative Futures Institute (RFI), a new interdisciplinary initiative advancing regenerative practice through education, research and collaboration.

RMIT University invites you to the launch of the Regenerative Futures Institute (RFI), a new interdisciplinary initiative advancing regenerative practice through education, research and collaboration.

RFI brings together expertise across design, science, technology, systems thinking and social innovation, alongside Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander knowledges, to explore how universities, industry, and communities can respond to complex environmental and societal challenges.

The event will bring together leaders from government, industry, and academia for a conversation about the role of regenerative thinking in shaping future education, research and practice.

Event Highlights

Official launch

Professor Alec Cameron, RMIT Vice-Chancellor

Keynote address

Dr Leyla Acaroglu

Panel discussion - Regenerative futures in practice

Moderated by Tanya Ha with Tamara Dimattina, Paul Paton and Hayley Morris

About the speakers

Dr Leyla Acaroglu brings a wealth of creative flair to the field of sustainability and the circular economy. As a designer, sociologist and educational entrepreneur, she challenges people to think differently about the challenges we face. For her work in advancing science and innovation for sustainability, she was named Champion of the Earth by the United Nations, and Changemaker by LinkedIn.

Tanya Ha is an award-winning Australian science communicator, environmental campaigner, best‑selling author, journalist‑broadcaster, diversity advocate, and sustainability and behaviour‑change expert. A former ABC Catalyst reporter and SBS Eco House Challenge eco‑coach, she won the UN Association of Australia environmental reporting award in 2010. She is Engagement Director at Science in Public and serves on the boards of Greenfleet and Westernport Water and advisory board of the Marine Energy Research Centre.

Tamara DiMattina is a multi-awarded climate communications strategist and storyteller. She is the creator of the original RUOK? Day, founder of Buy Nothing New Month and producer of The New Joneses. Working across climate solutions like the energy transition, circular economy and regeneration, she uses behaviour change science to drive better outcomes with government, industry, NGOs, philanthropists and research organisations.

Paul Paton is a Gunnai, Monaro-Ngarigo and Gunditjmara man who has dedicated his entire career towards the preservation, continuation and promotion of Aboriginal cultures. His work focuses on strengthening connections to Country and supporting the inclusion of Aboriginal knowledge and perspectives in systems, policy and governance.

Hayley Morris is co-founder of Keys for Future-Fit Leadership and a certified leadership coach specialising in vertical development. She is a philanthropist (Morris Family Foundation) and social entrepreneur having founded Climate Zero, Sustainable Table and Barragunda Dining.

Register here

_{In lieu of catering, a contribution will be made to RMIT Eats, which provides ethical, tasty and sustainable grocery packs to RMIT students facing cost‑of‑living pressures.

RMIT Eats is proudly supported by the Storey Family Scholarship Fund. With additional funding, the program can increase weekly pack distribution to reach more students experiencing food insecurity.}

Getting to The Capitol

Upcoming events

Now accepting 2027 First Site Gallery project proposals

28 Sep 2026 - 01 Nov 2026

Are you an RMIT student with a creative project you’d like to share? We are calling for proposals from RMIT students, who are currently enrolled in the College of Design and Social Context, to exhibit in the 2027 First Site Gallery exhibition program.

'The Voice of the Maribyrnong' by Elijah Cristiano

06 Oct 2026 - 30 Oct 2026

Elijah Cristiano combines underwater footage, archival images and sound to examine the Maribyrnong River’s colonial and industrial histories – and the ways photography has framed the river.

'Vườn lan (Orchid Garden)' by Minh-An Pham

06 Oct 2026 - 30 Oct 2026

Rooted in his mother’s favourite flower, 'Vườn lan (Orchid Garden)' revisits Minh-An Pham’s parents’ wedding photographs as a means of reflecting on their relationship, his own experiences, and memory and longing more broadly.

Acknowledgement of Country

RMIT University acknowledges the people of the Woi wurrung and Boon wurrung language groups of the eastern Kulin Nation on whose unceded lands we conduct the business of the University. RMIT University respectfully acknowledges their Ancestors and Elders, past and present. RMIT also acknowledges the Traditional Custodians and their Ancestors of the lands and waters across Australia where we conduct our business - Artwork 'Sentient' by Hollie Johnson, Gunaikurnai and Monero Ngarigo.

Learn more about our commitment to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples

Launch of the RMIT Regenerative Futures Institute