If we’re not actively regenerating – are we really designing for the future?
Been catching up on my never-ending list of farm chores. Yesterday, I spent hours cutting down massive fallen tree limbs that were wedged in the trunk of another gum tree. The cut logs will be put to good use – mushroom logs, perches for the chickens and firewood for warmth. Nothing goes to waste.
When I acquired this farm 5 years ago, I didn’t fully anticipate both the privilege and challenges of stewarding 32 acres of land myself (fully acknowledging the Wadawurrung and Eastern Maar Peoples who stewarded this land long before me). With that much space comes a huge sense of responsibility. It’s not just about keeping things running – it’s about actively regenerating ecosystems that sustain the land – putting in the hard work, giving back more than what you take.
At RMIT University, Regenerative Futures is something we talk about often. I don’t speak much about it. I find it difficult to eloquently articulate the subject. For me, it’s not a concept – it’s a way of life. Lived experience.
I’m very deeply connected to the land.
On the farm, regeneration is non-negotiable. Every decision I make – whether it’s clearing noxious weeds, managing pests or restoring soil – has long-term impacts on the land. Each action must be carefully considered. My principle is to leave the land better than I found it. That will be my legacy.
Similarly, I see this concept weaving through the heart of our work at RMIT School of Design. In Digital Design, we’re not just creating technology or aesthetics – regeneration requires us to think critically about how we approach the systems we create. We often talk about user-centered systems – but are these systems designed for the future or just for the present? Are they flexible and sustainable – or are they built on obsolete models and practices? We’re embedding these critical questions into our curriculum and research. We’re not here to maintain outdated models (the status quo). We’re here to challenge them, to build digital systems that regenerate and transform – ones that are truly capable of long-term impact.
The farm keeps me grounded. I find that “Regenerative Futures” is often bandied about in abstract terms without tangible actions. It’s not enough to just talk about regenerative futures – it’s about living them, taking thoughtful and intentional actions – whether that’s in an open field or behind a screen.
We have to get our hands dirty, challenge obsolete practices and pull out the (metaphorical) chainsaw – be willing to unreservedly prune what isn’t working to collectively build something better.
Just some farm muses for today. 🐑🐓🦆
PS: I have better sense than to chainsaw a branch while standing on it – though that’d be a hilarious way to wrap up my grandiose regenerative efforts. 🪚
