SHIFT - aligning science and storytelling to inspire a climate shift

This event is an INVITE ONLY with limited spots available. If you have not been sent a personalised invitation but are interested in attending, please submit your interest here: jointheshift.com.au/application and we will be in touch if there is a spot available. Thank you.

This two-day invite only event is all about behavioural science intersecting with climate storytelling to maximise impact. It will kick off with a symposium featuring international keynote speakers and collaboration labs on the first day, followed by a half day workshop on the second day.

Bringing together leading creatives, researchers, producers, strategists and government decision-makers, SHIFT explores how we can embed sustainability into storytelling across film, TV and screen-based entertainment. This helps us to influence culture, shift norms and behaviours and drive systematic change.

Dates and Times

Contact

Dr Danie Nilsson

More information

Program

DAY ONE: SHIFT Symposium (keynotes, panels and co-creation labs)

9.00am arrival for 9:30am start. The programming will finish at 5:30pm followed by networking drinks to finish at 7pm.

An intimate, curated space where researchers and creatives unite for environmental impact through:

• Keynotes, panels, and creative discussions with national and international leaders.
• Case studies of entertainment that have shifted climate and sustainability outcomes.
• Cross-disciplinary exchanges between science, strategy, and storytelling.
• Collaborative "story–science" labs to co-create narratives and campaigns.

What You'll Gain

• New cross-sector collaborations between creatives, industry, researchers, scientists, and decision-makers.
• A shared language and framework for embedding science into storytelling, and vice versa.
• Bold ideas for entertainment formats, content, or campaigns that shift norms, behaviours, and systems.
• Deeper skills in impact strategy, production, and evaluation; moving beyond engagement to action.
• A role in shaping a new ecosystem of practice blending science, creativity, and strategy for environmental and social good.

DAY TWO: POWERHOUSE. A limited half-day workshop

9am arrival for 9:40am start. Workshop to conclude at 1pm, with included networking lunch wrapping up at 2:30pm.

This hands-on workshop will centre on PowerHouse, a new television project designed to inspire home energy retrofits across Australia. Developed by CSIRO and Blue Tribe Media, and funded by RACE for 2030, the show is grounded in behavioural science and creative storytelling, and aligned with the national goal to retrofit over 7 million homes by 2030.

A small group of SHIFT participants will have the opportunity to take what we've explored on day one and put it directly into action.

Attendees will:

• Preview behind the scenes making of the new TV show
• Explore the behaviour change strategy behind the show
• Collaborate across disciplines to refine the show's format to boost engagement, strengthen behaviour-change tools to enhance impact, and design evaluation methods to measure real-world outcomes.

More information:

How can a good story help the planet?

More about the event coordinator:

Embedding climate and behavioural science into entertainment - CSIRO
Tackling climate change with social science - CSIRO

Find out more

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