Professor Lauren Rickards is a leading thinker, advisor and researcher on the social dimensions of climate change adaptation, and former Chair of Regen Melbourne's Research Advisory Council. Sarah Smith speaks to Lauren about Australia’s rollercoaster climate change adaptation journey and why now is the time for radical and urgent collaboration.

Having a shared understanding of what climate change adaptation actually is, is integral to doing the work effectively. To mark the relaunch of the Climate Change Exchange, Regen Melbourne’s Research Activation Lead, Yasmina Dkhissi, breaks down the nuances and often-oversimplified aspects of climate adaptation. 

Foodprint Melbourne has launched a toolkit to support communities and organisations across the state plan for more resilient food systems. To mark its release, Nourished Neighbourhoods lead convenor, Dheepa Jeyapalan, sits down with the Foodprint Melbourne team to discuss their groundbreaking research and bold vision for a regenerative city.

Imagine if food was no longer a commodity, but the glue that connects our communities – sustaining the environment and promoting a healthy, thriving Melbourne. This is the vision of Regen Melbourne’s newly launched Nourished Neighbourhoods Earthshot. Lead convener, Dheepa Jeyapalan, shares the wildly ambitious thinking behind the project, and how it aims to transform Melbourne’s food systems.

Want to know where to get the best vanilla slice, injera or bowl of Pho in Melbourne? Give Dani Valent a call. A widely respected food and travel journalist, Dani has been telling Melbourne’s food stories for years, championing the diversity and complexity of our city via the people that grow our food and cook our meals. Sarah Smith sits down with Dani to talk community, food and her vision for a truly Nourished Neighbourhood.

What can nature teach us if we really stop and listen? Swimmable Birrarung Lead Convener, Charity Mosienyane, reflects on a day spent by the river with the Regen Melbourne team and environmental educator Dr. Maya Ward. 

Four months into his role as Regen Melbourne’s Policy and New Urban Governance Lead, Joel Backwell is increasingly optimistic about the untapped potential of our city and its people. He reflects on Melbourne’s history as a beacon for democratic innovation, and how declining trust in government and political institutions can (and should) help us innovate new forms of democratic participation. 

Regen Melbourne’s Collaboration and Investment Lead Joshua Devine shares how his experience in the world of impact finance – from attending COP29 to time spent in the Indigenous business sector – helps inform his work developing new approaches to systemic investment.