Hello, I’m Suzanne.
I help people close the gap between knowledge, imagination, and action, and create ways to help others act too, through communication, facilitation, futures & foresight, experience design, and research.
Professionally, you will find me:
- Building skills in communicating science: helping researchers and technical experts get their work understood by the people who need it.
- Leading strategic foresight & futures processes: helping organisations navigate uncertainty and make better decisions about what’s next.
- Designing processes to democratise futures: creating and leading participatory experiences for cities, communities, and groups to increase participation and shape hopeful futures.
Creatively, I am a walking artist and an oral storyteller, and I assemble impermanent art installations.
I am also a doctoral researcher at VU Amsterdam, exploring how multi-sensory, place-based experiences can build our capacity to face climate futures.
Much of my work flows from a curiosity about how we can co-create hopeful, sustainable futures, and achieve strong sustainability: conditions where people, the natural world, and our systems can thrive, now and in the future.
My approach to both sustainability, and how I work, is pragmatic, active, and optimistic. I start from what’s actually true, design ways to address challenges or support solutions, and let the evidence of what’s working (and what’s not) influence next steps.
If this sounds like something you’d like to explore, let’s have a conversation→
On a personal note
I’m a proud South African and long-time resident of Innsbruck, Austria, where I live with my rather marvellous husband and an impressive collection of books. I am water-oriented rather than mountain-oriented (ironic, given where I live) and I am happiest swimming, scuba diving, sailing, “fish hugging” (in contrast to “tree hugging), and being near the water.
I love walking. I am interested in how we can revolutionise urban spaces into places for connection instead of cars. I have a not-so-secret identity as a professional oral storyteller. I am overflowing with ideas, many of which become side projects. I organise many events. People fascinate me, and although we live in troubling times, I still believe that humans are creative and curious and worth believing in as part of the solution, not just the problem.
I’m an aspiring mindful person (emphasis on aspiring) and a firm believer in the power of imagination to change the world. I do my best to tread lightly and intentionally on the earth, and to help others find their own ways of doing the same.
Currently learning & exploring: how to play the ukulele, painting with water colours, Quarkerism and Zen Buddhism, the history of art, vegan cooking, how to work with puppets, moving away from “big tech” towards European, Open Source, and ethical alternatives.
In Innsbruck, some of my local community projects and initiatives include: Innsbruck Reads (a book club), Innsbruck Walk Club (like a park run, but slower), Zu Fuß in Tirol (a community platform to find walks – not hikes – in Tirol).
Curious? Want to have a chat? Let’s talk→
