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Since prior, even, to the advent of our species, the genus Homo has been inspired by species and systems living and non-living, and which today are

commonly collectively described as ’Nature’. But, how and why humanity perceives of the natural world and its workings changes over time and space.

Different peoples in different places and periods have perceived of Nature in many and different ways. However, one thing that remains constant is its

capacity to capture the human imagination. 

Today, studies of Nature and its many and connected parts is driving another evolution in how we understand the world around us and our relationship to it. While today’s designers and other creators, innovators, and inventors are just the latest in a very long line to explore concepts inspired, informed, and enabled by elements of the natural world, they are able to draw on insights that were far and beyond our ancestors ability to attain.

In her talk ‘Working with Nature: designing beyond human boundaries’, renown design scientist and biofuturist Melissa Sterry will share with us some of the challenges and opportunities of working with other species and systems, and give a short overview of some of the most interesting and promising projects within biodesign and its sister fields. Having presented an overview, Melissa will be joined, remotely, by pioneering biodesigner Gavin Munro of Fullgrown -a company literally growing furniture. Their session will close with a Q&A, so get thinking about the questions you’d like Melissa and Gavin to answer!