Bio-inspired Talks
Bioratorium® offers a series of thought-provoking talks designed to inspire, educate, and empower organisations to harness the potential of bio-inspired design and innovation. Led by Dr. Melissa Sterry, they can be booked individually or as part of a series and are available in 20, 45 or 60-minute formats.
Options include Q&A sessions, filming, and pre- and post-talk activities such as interactive workshops. Whether in-person or online, these talks are tailored to engage diverse audiences, from industry professionals to academic communities, and can be customised to meet specific goals. Explore cutting-edge concepts in biomimicry, resilience, and regenerative design while fostering creativity, adaptability, and sustainability within your organisation.
Nature-Inspired Solutions for a Resilient Future
Harnessing Ecosystem Strategies for Corporate Success
In an era defined by volatility and uncertainty, resilience has become a cornerstone of corporate success. Dr. Melissa Sterry will take audiences on an enlightening journey into the natural world, exploring how ecosystems thrive amidst complexity and change. Drawing on her extensive expertise in biomimicry and resilience, this talk will present actionable insights on how organisations can emulate nature's adaptive strategies to build robust systems and processes. Attendees will learn how to integrate regenerative design principles into their business models, fostering long-term sustainability and profitability. Tailored for leaders seeking innovative approaches to navigate a fast-changing world, this session will inspire new ways of thinking and acting.
Innovation Lessons from Nature
Biomimicry Insights for Breakthrough Innovation
Nature has been solving complex challenges for billions of years. Dr. Melissa Sterry brings her deep knowledge of biomimicry to this engaging talk, showcasing how businesses across industries can draw inspiration from nature’s ingenuity. From self-healing materials to decentralised decision-making models, she will demonstrate how natural systems can inform breakthrough innovations. Attendees will gain practical insights into applying biomimetic principles to product design, supply chains, and operations. This session is ideal for organisations seeking fresh, impactful ideas to drive sustainability and competitive advantage.
Building Businesses that Thrive
Regenerative Design for Sustainable Enterprises
The future belongs to organisations that regenerate rather than deplete resources. Dr. Melissa Sterry shares her expertise in regenerative design to help companies understand how they can align their practices with the natural world’s cyclical processes. This talk covers state-of-the-science strategies for redesigning products, processes, and services to contribute positively to ecosystems and communities. Dr. Sterry will reveal the business case for regeneration, from operational efficiencies, to new markets and future fit business models. This session is perfect for forward-thinking leaders ready to transform challenges into opportunities.
Learning from Nature’s Crisis Management
Natural Strategies for Business Resilience
How do natural systems recover from shocks and disruptions? In this engaging session, Dr. Melissa Sterry explores resilience strategies from nature and their applications to business continuity and risk management. Using examples from her groundbreaking research, she provides a roadmap for building systems that can adapt and thrive in the face of uncertainty. This talk is particularly relevant for industries grappling with supply chain disruptions, market volatility, or environmental challenges.
Innovating with Biomimicry for a Changing World
Driving Transformative Solutions for Future Challenges
How can businesses prepare for an uncertain future while driving innovation? Dr. Melissa Sterry delves into the cutting-edge world of biomimicry and regenerative design, where the extraordinary adaptations of natural ecosystems inspire revolutionary solutions. Using insights from her pioneering work, she demonstrates how organisations can future-proof by integrating nature-inspired strategies into their R&D, design, and operations. This talk is perfect for companies seeking transformative ways to navigate the challenges of climate change, resource scarcity, and evolving consumer expectations.
Futureproofing Cities with Biology
Nature-Inspired Solutions for Urban Challenges
As cities face mounting challenges in energy, waste, and resource management, biological systems offer innovative answers. Dr. Sterry presents a compelling vision for biomimetic urban design, drawing on insights from her groundbreaking work in ecological design and complex systems science. This talk provides actionable ideas for creating sustainable, resilient cities, making it ideal for companies involved in urban development, infrastructure, and technology.
Rewilding Innovation and Enterprise
Aligning Enterprise with Ecosystem Health
Dr. Melissa Sterry introduces the concept of rewilding in the business context, showcasing how companies can actively regenerate ecosystems through their operations and products. This talk explores practical strategies for aligning business goals with ecological restoration, offering insights into how companies can become net-positive contributors to the environment.
Bio-Innovation Toolkit for Leadership
Skills and Strategies for Pioneering the Bioeconomy
Leading in the bioeconomy requires a unique blend of vision, agility, and technical know-how. Dr. Sterry shares key leadership principles for driving success in bio-based ventures. Attendees will learn how to cultivate innovation, manage complexity, and build cross-sector partnerships that amplify impact, making this talk a must for executives navigating the bioeconomy’s rapid evolution.
Ethics in Bio-Innovation
Navigating Complex Challenges with Responsibility and Integrity
As bio-based solutions grow in scale and impact, ethical considerations become critical. This talk addresses the ethical frameworks and decision-making strategies needed to lead responsibly in the bioeconomy. Dr. Sterry examines topics such as equity, intellectual property, biodiversity preservation, and societal impacts, equipping leaders to foster trust and transparency in their bio-innovation initiatives.
Transforming Products and Processes
The Intersection of Biology, Design, and Innovation
From self-healing materials to sustainable packaging, biodesign is revolutionising how products are made and used. In this inspiring talk, Dr. Sterry unveils the latest breakthroughs in biomaterials and biomanufacturing, demonstrating how businesses can integrate these advancements into their products and processes. Attendees will learn practical approaches to reducing waste, enhancing efficiency, and creating regenerative solutions.
Biofutures: Imagining Tomorrow’s Possibilities
Speculative Thinking for a Bio-Inspired World
What does the future look like when biology drives design, technology, and society? Dr. Melissa Sterry combines science with speculative fiction to envision transformative scenarios for the decades ahead. This thought-provoking talk helps organisations anticipate societal, technological, and market shifts spurred by bio-innovation. Perfect for forward-thinking companies, this session fosters creativity and strategic planning for navigating uncharted futures.
Building the Bioeconomy
Strategic Insights for Thriving in a Bio-Inspired Future
The bioeconomy is reshaping industries, from agriculture to pharmaceuticals. This session offers an insider’s perspective on emerging trends, regulatory landscapes, and market opportunities. Dr. Sterry provides a roadmap for businesses to navigate challenges such as ethical dilemmas and resource constraints while maximizing benefits from bio-based solutions. Tailored for decision-makers, this talk delivers key strategies to position brands as pioneers in sustainable bio-innovation.
Revolutionising Industries with Biomimicry
Harnessing Nature's Genius for Innovation and Sustainability
Dr. Melissa Sterry explores how biomimicry is transforming industries by drawing inspiration from nature’s time-tested solutions. Attendees will discover how businesses can emulate the efficiency of ecosystems, the resilience of forests, and the adaptability of organisms to drive innovation, reduce waste, and enhance sustainability. This talk dives into real-world applications across sectors such as manufacturing, architecture, fashion, and energy, equipping leaders with actionable strategies to future-proof their organisations through bio-inspired innovation.
Let nature’s brilliance guide your organisation into a more resilient, sustainable future.
If you’re inspired by these talks and wish to explore bio-inspired design and innovation further, we invite you to book a session with us. Whether you’re interested in a single talk, a series, or incorporating pre- and post-talk activities, we can tailor our offerings to your needs. Get in touch through our contact form, or reach out to Dr. Melissa Sterry directly via LinkedIn DM. Let’s collaborate to bring cutting-edge insights and strategies to your organisation.
Explore critical questions we can help you answer below.
Future of Architecture
- How might bio-innovation redefine architectural materials and construction methods in the near and far future?
- What could future buildings look like if designed to mimic living systems?
- How might cities evolve to integrate biological structures such as algae facades or fungal insulation?
- What role will bio-based design play in creating resilient, self-sustaining urban habitats?
- How might architecture respond to extreme climate scenarios, such as rising sea levels, wildfires, and desertification?
Future of Cities
- What might a fully bio-integrated city of the future look like, and how would it function?
- How could bio-innovation transform urban planning to prioritise ecological biodiversity?
- What role could bio-inspired technologies play in reducing urban pollution?
- How might social dynamics shift in cities where biotechnologies are ubiquitous?
- Could cities of the future become self-sufficient ecosystems, and how might they work?
Future of Transport
- Could new modes of biologically-inspired transport emerge and if so how might they work?
- How might the integration of bio-innovation in transport reduce carbon emissions?
- Could self-repairing bio-materials revolutionise vehicle manufacturing and maintenance?
- How might future transport networks be influeced by the movements of animals and other organisms?
- Could living organisms be used as components in future transport systems?
Future of Fashion
- How could bioengineered textiles reshape the fashion industry?
- What might fashion retail look like if most garments are grown, self-repair, and/or decompose at the end of life?
- Could bio-inspired design reduce waste in fast fashion and create more sustainable cycles of consumption?
- How might advances in synthetic biology enable bespoke, living clothing tailored to an individual's biology?
- What ethical considerations could emerge with the rise of living fashion over years and decades to come?
Future of Textiles
- How could bio-innovation address the environmental challenges of textile manufacturing?
- What are the possibilities for biofabricated textiles that adapt to climate conditions or wearer's needs?
- How might biomaterials reshape the textile manufacturing and distribution industries?
- What new cultural narratives might emerge around bio-fabricated textiles?
- How might bioluminescent textiles influence design, utility, and art in clothing and interiors?
Future of Design
- How could bio-design principles revolutionise everyday products and services?
- What might future design look like if it were entirely symbiotic with natural ecosystems?
- How can speculative design explore the boundaries of what is possible with bio-innovation?
- Could user experience design evolve to include interaction with living systems?
- What new aesthetic movements might arise from the integration of biology and design?
Future of Manufacturing
- How might manufacturing processes evolve to include biological systems as part of the supply chain?
- What role could bioprinting play in the future of product development and customisation?
- Could manufacturing shift entirely to bio-based systems to eliminate reliance on finite resources?
- How might factory design change if inspired by natural ecosystems?
- What risks and benefits could arise from blending biology with advanced robotics in manufacturing?
Future of Travel
- How might bio-inspired innovations create more sustainable and immersive travel experiences?
- Could future travel systems incorporate living habitats that perform ecological functions?
- What role might biotechnology play in reducing the environmental impact of tourism?
- How could bio-innovation reshape the way we experience and engage with remote and natural locations?
- Could future travel shift from consuming and otherwise damaging resources to actively regenerating ecosystems?
Future of Retail
- How could retail spaces evolve to showcase bio-innovative products and experiences?
- What might shopping experiences look like if products are grown or be cultivated on-site?
- How could bio-innovation influence the ethical and sustainable sourcing of goods?
- Could personalisation in retail reach new heights through biotechnology?
- How might consumer perceptions of value shift with the rise of bio-based products?
Future of Distribution
- How might biological systems enable more sustainable packaging and logistics solutions?
- What role could bio-innovations play in reducing waste across the supply chain?
- Could living organisms assist in storage, preservation, or delivery systems for goods?
- How might decentralised, bio-based distribution models impact traditional retail?
- What bio-inspired innovations could make global shipping more eco-efficient?
Future of Film
- How could biotechnology shape new genres of storytelling in film and media?
- What role might bio-innovative materials play in the future of set design and costume creation?
- How could films explore speculative biofutures to challenge societal perceptions of technology and ethics?
- Could living, adaptive media formats redefine how films are created and consumed?
- What cultural impacts might arise from films featuring speculative bio-based technologies?
Future of the Arts
- How could bio-innovation redefine traditional art mediums and practices?
- What new immersive art experiences look like if they included living, responsive materials?
- How might biologically engineered intelligence influence the Arts culturally and economically?
- How might bio-inspired themes reshape narratives in visual, performance, and literary arts?
- What ethical questions might arise as the line between artist and biological further blur?