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Centre for Regenerating Futures

Responding to Anthropocene challenges

Transdisciplinary research that decolonises knowledge and utilises arts and activism to address the impacts of human activity on the planet.

Research in pursuit of ecological justice

The Centre for Regenerating Futures supports transdisciplinary collaboration between researchers who are committed to addressing Anthropocene challenges, decolonising knowledges and taking a transformative approach to ecological justice. Our researchers are from the three schools in the Faculty of Arts and Education and the National Indigenous Knowledges Education Research Innovation (NIKERI) Institute.

Visit the Centre for Regenerating Futures website

Our research areas

This Faculty of Arts and Education research centre explores ways to mitigate, educate and support adaptation to socio-ecological challenges in the Anthropocene. The Centre for Regenerating Futures has three research imperatives:

  • addressing Anthropocene challenges
  • decolonising knowledge and practices
  • building a strong interdisciplinary research community that values individual and collective capacity.

We have four research areas that underpin our research imperatives:

Socioecological nexus

There is increased inequality due to accelerated global demand for energy, food and water. Our transdisciplinary researchers promote a critical perspective on science-society relations, to address inequality and re-establish ecological integrity and social justice.

Decolonising knowledges and practices

Our researchers work to decolonise the taken for granted knowledge, epistemology and ontology of settler-colonialism and the hegemonic project of modernity. Our research agenda disrupts, resists and transforms methodologies that support practices and knowledges that entrench inequalities in settler-colonial societies.

Intergenerational learning for environmental justice

Our researchers respond to the contemporary challenges of how we educate, communicate and act in the face of global socio-ecological crises. We understand the importance of transformative approaches to re-learning relationship with Country in the pursuit of ecological justice.

Arts, activism and the Anthropocene

Our transdisciplinary artists and researchers utilise arts practices to illuminate Anthropocene challenges. Through our arts and activism, we question power and stories of history and heritage to promote ways to think, feel and act differently for planetary wellbeing.

Address Anthropocene challenges through transdisciplinary research

When you study a PhD or postdoctoral research with the Centre for Regenerating Futures, you'll be supported by renowned researchers.

Explore our research degrees

Featured projects

Our partnerships with government, community and industry allow us to deliver research with impact. We lead bold initiatives that seek solutions beyond traditional research and organisational boundaries.

Enacting climate change education

Enacting climate change education

This international, collaborative project, led by Professor Russell Tytler and Associate Professor Peta White, explores how school science can prepare young people for 21st century futures, marked by the major socio-ecological challenges of the Anthropocene. Building on prior research, this project translates science research and development into highly engaging, curriculum-informed teaching and learning sequences for both primary and secondary school students. The process will be researched across three countries – Australia, Finland and Taiwan. This project is Australian Research Council (ARC) funded.

Learn more about this project
Preventing water theft in the Murray-Darling Basin

Preventing water theft in the Murray-Darling Basin

This ARC project, led by Professor Reece Walters and Dr Laura Bedford, aims to understand the complex interaction of socio-economic, legal and political factors that have enabled the theft of fresh water in the Murray-Darling Basin. By analysing the policies and regulations governing freshwater management, this project expects to generate new knowledge of the extent and types of water theft, offenders processed, penalties delivered, and the performance and operations of regulatory and enforcement agencies. The expected outcomes include new research strategies for water theft prevention. This will benefit national security and community health by contributing to a sustainable and equitable supply of fresh water.

Our researchers

Steered by our co-directors, our centre supports transdisciplinary collaboration between researchers. Our researchers bring a range of disciplinary expertise based on decades of combined experience.

Associate Professor Peta J. White is an associate professor in science and environmental education in the School of Education. Her research currently has a focus on the following areas: science and biology education; sustainability, environmental and climate change education; and collaborative/activist methodologies and embodied research practice.

Dr Jo Raphael is a senior lecturer in drama education in the School of Education. Her research is focused on interdisciplinary approaches to learning in and through the arts. Her research is influenced by principles of social justice, drawing on the transformative potential of collaborative, participatory and arts-based research methods.

About the centre

Hear from researchers in the Centre for Regenerating Futures on taking a transformative approach to intergenerational learning.

About the centre

Our partnerships

We are committed to growing partnerships at Deakin and across the world. We build strong connections between centre members and with researchers from faculties and institutes at Deakin. Beyond that, our researchers and projects span government agencies, peak body organisations, industry councils and other universities. Our partners include:

  • Nulungu Research Institute, University of Notre Dame
  • The Centre for People, Place, and Planet, Edith Cowan University
  • City of Greater Geelong
  • Drama Victoria
  • Climate Change Education Network (CCEN)

Our publications

Take an in-depth look at our latest research, available in a variety of formats and publications. For a full list of publications visit the profile pages of our researchers.

Contact us

Our team is here to answer your questions and help you learn more about the Centre for Regenerating Futures. Visit our website for more information, our publications or current news. Connect with us on Facebook, LinkedIn or Twitter, or get in touch with our team:

Email Centre for Regenerating Futures

Discover more

School of Education
Enabling a sustainable world
Advancing society and culture
NIKERI Institute
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