Finding purpose through regenerative futures study

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Finding purpose through regenerative futures study

For Adam Dawton, studying regenerative futures has reshaped how he thinks about business, sustainability and his future career.

As a third-year Bachelor of Business (Professional Practice) student, Adam Dawton was already interested in sustainability – but it wasn’t until he discovered the Regenerative Futures minor through an RMIT student newsletter that he saw how deeply it could connect with his studies.

“I’ve always been passionate about sustainability and natural systems,” he said.

Portrait of an RMIT student standing against a blue and green geometric wall, wearing a light grey T-shirt.

Adam Dawton, Bachelor of Business (Professional Practice) student.

The Regenerative Futures minor felt like a meaningful way to connect this with business.

Adam chose to study Regenerative Fundamentals, a subject offered through the Regenerative Futures Institute, drawn to its focus on systems thinking and real-world problem solving.

“The course description completely aligned with my values,” he said. “It offered a diverse outlook on sustainability and challenged me to think more broadly about how change happens.”

One of the most impactful parts of the course so far has been exploring food systems in Australia. Through this work, Adam gained a deeper understanding of how interconnected environmental, social and economic challenges can be.

“It showed me how farming, supply chains, consumer behaviour, waste and environmental impact are all linked,” he said.

Creating a regenerative future means looking at the whole system, not just one part of the problem.

The subject has also introduced Adam to new ways of learning. Working in transdisciplinary teams alongside students from different backgrounds and different degrees has broadened his perspective while strengthening his collaboration skills.

“That experience has been incredibly valuable,” he said. “It’s helped me become more adaptable and open to different ways of thinking, which I know will be important in my future career.”

For Adam, studying regenerative futures is not just about understanding sustainability – it’s about rethinking the role of business altogether.

“As a modern business student, it’s more important than ever to be conscious of our environment and culture,” he said. "This course has helped me see how business can move beyond reducing harm and instead contribute to positive change."

Looking ahead, Adam hopes to pursue a career in entrepreneurship, building ventures that address real-world challenges while creating positive environmental and social impact.

“Studying regenerative futures has encouraged me to think differently about what business can be,” he said.

His advice for other students considering a course through the Regenerative Futures Institute is simple: be open to new ideas.

“It challenges you to look at problems from a broader perspective and understand how everything is connected,” he said.

It’s a great opportunity to explore how your own field of study can contribute to a more positive future.

The Regenerative Futures minor is available to RMIT undergraduate students in selected programs can study and will roll out to more programs next year. Find out more on Regenerative Future on the Regenerative Futures website or speak to your program manager.

01 June 2026

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