Healing cultures: designing regenerative systems

10 Oct 2026
01:30pm - 03:30pm
FREE
Burrinja Cultural Centre Theatre, 351 Glenfern Rd, Upwey

How do we create material cultures, economies, and innovations that actively heal and restore energy? What does it mean to design not just for zero waste, but for positive impact?  

This event is part of the Burrinja Climate Change Biennale 2026 and part of the Energy Futures events season presented by the RMIT Regenerative Futures Institute.

Find out more information about this event on the BCCB#4 Talks website.

Speakers

Associate Professor Ricarda Bigolin, RMIT School of Fashion & Textiles, Regenerative Futures Fellow

Associate Professor Ricarda Bigolin is a practice-based researcher, educator and designer. Ricarda’s research, teaching and design practice is recognised internationally with ongoing collaborations in research and education with some of the best Fashion, Design and Art Universities in the world. She is regarded as one of the establishing practitioners in the niche fields of critical and expanded fashion practice. Their practice research has has won international awards and acquisitive prizes in museums internationally and their work is shown regularly leading art and design museums, galleries, publications and universities globally. to better reflect relationships between design, diversity and sustainability.

Erica McCalman

Erica McCalman (she/her) is a creative director, producer, strategist, facilitator and speaker based in Melbourne. She works with organisations, artists and individuals doing ambitious, values-driven work.

She is a Ballardong Noongar woman with Irish Convict, Cornish and Scottish heritage, and is neurodivergent. She moves through the world as someone who has always lived at several intersections at once, in the liminal spaces between cultures, ways of knowing and ways of being.

Tishiko King

Tishiko King is a proud Kulkalaig woman from the Island of Masig and is a Ocean & Climate Advocate. Tish is the founder of Just Futures Collab, Torres Strait Island-led giving circle activating resources for climate justice.

Tish is a marine biologist and a dedicated climate justice advocate committed to addressing the interconnected crises of environmental degradation, gender and economic inequality. Grounded in the wisdom and frontline leadership of Torres Strait Island culture, Tish believes that redistributing wealth is essential to decolonising climate solutions in order for systemic change that respects the ocean, culture, and community.

Co-curated by Burrinja, Yarra Ranges Regional Museum and the RMIT Regenerative Futures Institute.

Upcoming events

Power in Partnership: Lessons from MREP and the Future of Renewable Energy PPAs

20 Oct 2026

Panel discussion on RMIT's Melbourne Renewable Energy Project Power Purchase Agreements (PPA) — lessons, the future of PPAs, and how they can embed social, ecological and First Nations value. Chaired by RMIT Sustainability Team.

Community Network Spotlight: Indigenous Rights, Digital Sovereignty and Community Networks

22 Oct 2026

Join the Internet Society's Community Network Infrastructures SIG for a hybrid gathering on Indigenous rights, digital sovereignty and community networks, featuring speakers from Australia, Indonesia, Mexico and North America.

Designing Regenerative Energy Futures: Design Collider

22 Oct 2026

Interactive design lab launching the Regenerative Futures Design Canvas. Keynote + lightning provocations, interdisciplinary team design sprint, gallery walk and vote, closing drinks. Led by the EARTH Research Group.

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

Healing cultures: designing regenerative systems