- Posted on 23 Apr 2026
- 3-minute read
As societies face accelerating climate disruption, social fragmentation, and technological upheaval, education must do more than transfer knowledge—it must prepare learners to thrive in uncertainty.
Today’s students need capabilities that go beyond technical skills: adaptability, agency, creativity, and resilience, and they need more than subject expertise — they need the capabilities to adapt, respond, and act with purpose in complex situations.
So, in a world where uncertainty is becoming the norm, how might we reshape learning so all students can build the confidence, creativity, and agency to navigate complexity and influence the futures they will inherit?
Project overview
This research explores how experiential, cross‑disciplinary learning enables transformative learning for students in school and university contexts.
Using participatory action research and co‑design, we work with educators, students, institutions and communities to understand contemporary learner needs and design learning experiences that build individual and collective agency.
A core concept is transilience—transformative resilience—examining how students engage with the systems they live within (such as schools, communities, families and climate) and develop inner and outer capacities to remain grounded and adaptive in challenging situations.
By integrating futures thinking, systems approaches, student‑led projects and experiential learning, the research informs curriculum and partnership design that cultivates purpose, creativity, agency and regenerative leadership for navigating uncertainty.
As uncertainty becomes the norm, we reimagine education to help people stay grounded, adaptive and purposeful—empowering more regenerative futures".
Our impact
Our transdisciplinary research team drives systemic change in education by developing evidence‑based frameworks that help schools and universities move beyond traditional models toward approaches that foster resilience, creativity, purpose and regenerative leadership.
Through co‑designed pilots with universities, schools, families and local health services, we support adaptation within education systems and spark global conversations among educators, policymakers and industry about reimagining learning for sustainability and social justice.
The result is graduates equipped to lead ethically and innovate responsibly. By contributing practical prototypes and open processes for education–health collaboration, our research empowers individuals and communities to navigate uncertainty with confidence and compassion.
What this means in practice:
- Helping Students Thrive in Uncertain Times: Giving young people the skills, confidence, and regenerative leadership mindset to cope with climate anxiety and rapid social change.
- Changing How We Teach: Creating practical tools co-designed with universities, schools, local services and families that build adaptability, compassion, and creativity into everyday learning.
- Driving Big Picture Change: Bringing educators, policymakers, health partners, and industry together to rethink education so it works better in a complex, uncertain world.
- Making a Global Difference: Sharing ideas and solutions internationally to shape education that supports sustainability, fairness, and a better future for all.
TD Research and the Transdisciplinary school acknowledge the financial assistance of the Cotton Research and Development Corporation in order to undertake this research project.
Work with us
We deliver a wide range of research projects for public and private sector partners seeking research expertise and support in overcoming their complex challenges using our unique transdisciplinary (TD) methodology.
To get involved in this research project or to find out how TD Research can help you and your organisation, please email TDResearch@uts.edu.au.
Explore
Research project team
Lecturer, Faculty of Law
Director, International, Faculty of Law
Lecturer, Faculty of Law
Lecturer, Faculty of Law
Senior Lecturer, Faculty of Law
Director, Teaching And Learning, Faculty of Law
Senior Lecturer, Faculty of Law
Other researchers working on this project are:
- Hannah Higgins, UTS Transdisciplinary School (PHD Candidate)
- Dan Ferreira, UTS Transdisciplinary School (PHD Candidate)
- Sean Walsh, UTS Transdisciplinary School
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