Mini Symposium 2026 Feb 11 - Daniel Christian Wahl and Tom Flanagan
|
Part 2: Coming home to life, or exploring appropriate participation in nested complexity
Abstract
Tom Flanigan and Daniel Wahl met in 2016 at a two day exploration of the relevance of second order science to policy making organised by the Finnish futures foundation SITRA and the International Futures Forum of which both Tom and Daniel are members. In this mini-symposium, Tom and Daniel will be in conversation about past and present work, but more importantly the personal dimension of what it means to participate with more appreciation and awareness in the nested complex systems we emerge from and are co-creators in while fully embracing uncertainty, un-predictability and the paradox of humility and audacity that comes with living into how systems shape us as we cannot but shape the systems we participate in through our thoughts, worlds and actions. Daniel's work spans from his long-term commitments over the last 20 years to living systems informed education with the N.G.O. Gaia Education, past academic work on salutogenic design for human and planetary health, collaboration with Anthony Hodgeson on the World Systems Mandala and World Game (of the International Futures Forum), collaboration with Bill Sharpe in the development and application of the 3 Horizon framework, co-curation with Tobias Luthe of ETH Zürich's 'Designing Resilient Regenerative Systems' MOOC series and advanced studies masters in regenerative systems, co-hosting the 'Coming Home to Life' podcast with Philipa Duthie (now offered through the Arne Naess Foundation), consulting various n.g.o.s on the bioregional regeneration of the Mallorca and the Balearic archipelago and working with them to create community resilience, economic vitality, social cohesion and healing of ecological landscape functions, to gardening an 1ha regenerative agro-forestry research site he calls 'home' with his wife and eight year old daughter. After an initial conversation between Tom and Daniel, the symposium will open up to a Q&A format.
Short Bio
Daniel Christian Wahl is one of the catalysts of the rising reGeneration and the author of Designing Regenerative Cultures - so far translated into seven languages. He works as a consultant, educator and activist with NGOs, businesses, governments and global change agents. With degrees in biology and holistic science, and a PhD in Design for Human and Planetary Health, his work has influenced the emerging fields of regenerative design and salutogenic design. Winner of the 2021 RSA Bicentenary Medal for applying design in service to society. Awarded a two year Volans-Fellowship in 2022.
Tom Flanagan served as president of the Institute for 21st Century Agoras between 2007-2021. Currently, Tom serves as treasurer. He has authored multiple articles and books about the practice of SDD. His research, product development, and management career has spanned marine science, insect physiology, environmental engineering, biomedical products, and behavioral healthcare, He lives in Warren, Rhode Islan, USA with his wife Jenny and son Danniel and continues scholarly research on SDD and related practices of design dialogue. His local missions include enhancing connections between the arts and participatory journalism, philanthropic community building, and behavioral self-care through times of civic stress. Tom leads a local initiative for enhancing awareness and support for alternative and complementary self-care for grief, depression, loneliness and pre-clinical anxiety (www.BlueskiesRI.org). Tom holds a PhD in neuroscience from Wesleyan University and an MBA in technology management from MIT. In addition to his local service on boards and committees, Tom is an active member of the AGORAS, International Society for Systems Science, and the National Coalition for Dialogue and Deliberation.