“You never change things by fighting the existing reality. To change something, build a new model that makes the existing model obsolete.” — R. Buckminster Fuller
Stuart Cowan is the Executive Director at Buckminster Fuller Institute (BFI.) In this conversation, Stuart presents a powerful opportunity to explore the frontiers of regenerative design, systems thinking, and whole systems transformation. Cowan is known for connecting deep ecological intelligence with design science and planetary
- Buckminster Fuller Institute website – https://www.bfi.org/
- BFI Design Lab for planetary thriving – https://www.bfi.org/
programs/bfi-design-lab/ - Design Science – https://www.bfi.org/about-
fuller/big-ideas/design- science/ - World Design Science Decade – https://www.bfi.org/about-
fuller/world-design-science- decade/ - Bioregional Financing Facilities – https://www.bfi.org/
programs/bfi-design-lab/the- biofi-project/ - Symoto – https://www.bfi.org/
programs/bfi-design-lab/ symoto/ - Regenerosity – https://www.bfi.org/
programs/bfi-design-lab/ regenerosity/ - Design Science Studio – https://www.designscience.
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Stuart Cowan, Buckminster Fuller Institute
He was the founding convener of the Regenerative Communities Network from 2018-20, supporting 15 bioregions on their journeys of regeneration. He brings a diverse range of experiences including Chief Scientist at the Smart Cities Council, Transaction Manager for the sustainable investment fund Portland Family of Funds, and Conservation Economy Research Director at the non-profit Ecotrust. He is the co-author with Sim Van der Ryn of Ecological Design, and received his doctorate in Applied Mathematics from U.C. Berkeley with a focus on Complex Systems and Ecological Economics. He has taught and facilitated internationally for academic institutions, cities, companies, indigenous groups, government agencies, and NGOs. He serves on the Board of Regenerosity, University for International Cooperation, and the Global Solutions Alliance.