TCX-York Conference

Holding Space for What's Emerging

What does it mean to organize for transformations — not only in our projects, but in how we show up with each other? That guiding question shaped TCX York, a Transformations Community gathering held in June at the University of York in the UK. Designed as a highly participatory, immersive event, TCX brought together researchers, practitioners, and artists to explore themes of transformative governance, inner change, and learning through experimentation.

Rather than polished findings, participants shared tensions, insights, and unfinished ideas through practice sessions, dialogues, creative expression, and five case studies on food systems change. It was a space for reflection, for relationships, and for staying with what is still emerging.

The spirit of York carried forward into TC/ESG25 in Johannesburg, where those same commitments — to experimentation, plurality, and shared presence — helped shape our global gathering. Insights from TCX York are also feeding directly into the future of the Transformations Community Agora, an evolving commons designed to connect and support transformative projects.

Programme

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Publication Opportunities

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Gallery

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Recordings

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The event brought participants together to:

Engage in dialogue around leading research and practice in the field of transformations.

Take part in experiential workshops that introduced tools and methods for supporting transformational change.

Explore how to organise for change at scale through a collective case study on food systems in Yorkshire, drawing on insights from the transdisciplinary FixOurFood research program.

Consolidate key concepts and ideas on how to organise for and sustain systems change across different scales.

#TCXYork- What Attendees Say

"I’ve just returned from an inspiring gathering of the Transformations Community at the University of York, UK, convening action-oriented researchers and practitioners working creatively across disciplines to seed change in their fields. And it strengthened the feeling in me that we are not alone. In the face of dysfunction and fragmentation, we are finding each other. And together we are affirming that processes of transformation are not just technical or structural - in other words external. They require us to engage with the inner dimensions: drawing on relational, emotional, intuitive, ecological, spiritual - and, yes, rational ways of knowing - to catalyse deep shifts in our values, beliefs and mindsets which in turn shape what happens in the world."
Jessica Bockler, PhD
Jessica Bockler, PhDCo-founding director, Alef Trust
"Taking some time to reflect on attending TXC-York: Organising for Transformations conference last week, hosted by the and held at the University of York (thank you Ioan Fazey and team!) It was an incredible three days packed with inspiring talks and workshops, and it was such a privilege to lead our session, REIMAGINING our Biosphere, with my co-pilot Lucy Chapman. Creativity and imagination was at the heart of our session, all held with the systemic structures. Thank you again for all the great conversations. We are keen to find ways to bring more of this work to the Isle of Man (and beyond)!"
Ali Hodgson
Ali HodgsonCreative Producer & Project Manager
"Last week, at the TCX-York conference I felt both deeply challenged and deeply supported. This event was a different kind of conference. It was focused on conversations and relationships, and the structure worked to enable these to flourish. The organisers and participants were also aware of the emotional and embodied elements of the type of the work we were undertaking and everyone was very open to activities and discussions that addressed these aspects. It was the type of conference where I felt completely comfortable presenting something unfinished, to bring more questions than answers. This was fortunate as I presented a workshop that was testing some ideas that were not fully formed. I am grateful to the participants in the workshop who engaged deeply with the process and ideas and offered both useful ideas, points of contemplation and encouragement. These unfinished ideas were worth refining."
Stephanie Rosestone
Stephanie RosestoneLearning Facilitator, Designer and Researcher
"It was fantastic to share our explorations at the intersection of ancestry practice, poetry, and unlearning with Alexandra Leblanc L'Ecuyer. Poetry can be a powerful way of expressing what we learn in this connection with the ineffable. The poems shared in the session, and the resonance built through sharing them, were a powerful testament to that. Thanks to all who joined our session. If anyone feels like sharing their poems with us privately, please do. And watch this space for more explorations of ancestry and sustainability. And it's been wonderful to participate at TCX for the third time and continue forming these special bonds"
Justus Wachs
Justus WachsOrganizational Consultant
"Thanks to those who were part of the closing “sense maker” circle for TCX – York. Beautiful reflections and intentions set for the future of the “agora” known as the . Taking away my own appreciation for the power of friendship in these times. We can truly get to new heights together!"
Curtis Ogden
Curtis OgdenInteraction Institute for Social Change

Reflections & Insights

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Transformations Conference 2025 – Organising for Transformation

Since its beginnings in 2013, the Transformations Conference has developed into a growing international community that is focussed on the question of how deep, systemic change can help address today’s interwoven social and ecological crises. Taking place every two years, the 2025 edition unfolded in two parts: the first under the title…

Valerie Voggenreiter, RIFS

TCX: A Platform for Experimental Engagement

TCX is an experimental space within the Transformations Community, designed for action-driven participatory research and dynamic collaboration. The first official TCX was held in York in June 2025, bringing together researchers, practitioners, and artists in an immersive format.

Each TCX is tailored to specific themes and regions, through specialised conference tracks, workshops, and online events. If you are interested in hosting a future TCX, click below to learn more.

Explore more about TCX

Themes

Inner Transformation for Outer Change and Leadership

Transformative Governance for a Sustainable Just and Equitable Future

Transformation-focused evaluation and learning

Catalysts, co-convenors, and organisers

CATALYSTS

Mick Cooper

Professor of Psychology at the University of Roehampton

Zenda Ofir

International Evaluation Specialist, BRICS New Development Bank

Twobirds Cunningham

Shamanic Elder,
Leader and Trainer

CO-CONVENORS

Rebecca Newman

Environmental Science Researcher

Curtis Ogden

Senior Associate at the Interaction Institute for Social Change

Explore More

TCX-York Partners

TC/ESG25 Conference
August 18–21, 2025
Johannesburg, South Africa

TCX-York
June 25–27, 2025
University of York, UK

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Catalysts

Mick Cooper

Mick Cooper is a Professor of Counselling Psychology at the University of Roehampton, an HCPC-registered practitioner psychologist, and a UKCP-accredited psychotherapist. Mick is an internationally renowned author and editor of a range of texts on existential, person-centred, and relational approaches to therapy, including Working at Relational Depth in Counselling and Psychotherapy (2nd ed., Sage, 2018, with Dave Mearns) and Pluralistic Counselling and Psychotherapy (Sage, 2011, with John McLeod). Mick has led a series of research studies—both qualitative and quantitative—exploring the processes and outcomes of humanistic counselling with young people and has published in a range of leading international psychotherapy journals. Mick’ss latest book explores the contribution that therapeutic theory and practice can make to wider social progress and justice: Psychology at the Heart of Social Change: Towards a Progressive Vision for Society (Bristol University, 2023). Mick is the father of four children and lives in Brighton on the south coast of England.

Zenda Ofir

Zenda Ofir is an international evaluation specialist who works at the nexus of evaluation, transformation and development. A South African citizen with a PhD in Ecological Chemistry, she focuses on Africa, Asia and the Global South more generally, working across the world in diverse thematic areas at the request of bi- and multilateral agencies, government and non-government organisations, foundations and universities. She advises international organisations on evaluation and transformation, most recently serving as South African representative on the High-Level International Evaluation Advisory Committee of the BRICS New Development Bank. Zenda has served in many leadership positions, among others as President of the African Evaluation Association, Vice-President of two global evaluation associations IDEAS and IOCE, as Chair of the Council of the International Evaluation Academy (IEAc), and as Steward in the SDG Transformations Forum and Bounce Beyond. She has held academic appointments as Director of Research at the largest residential university in South Africa, as Honorary Professor at the University of Stellenbosch and as Visiting Professor at Hiroshima University. She has served in editorial advisory capacities for four international evaluation journals. She always works with the ‘big picture’ in mind, analysing megatrends and possible futures.

Twobirds Cunningham

Twobirds is a highly experienced shamanic elder, leader and trainer. After spending nine years working with homeless street children and living barefoot in the South African bush with indigenous African tribes, she moved to Scotland. Here, and for the last 30 years, she has led and trained thousands of people in shamanic practice. This has included helping others learn how to engage deeply with nature, undergo personal transformations and learn how they can help others. Her teachings integrate cultural Shamanism, Shamanic Healing, Toltec Shamanism, Plant Spirit Medicine, and Native American Spirituality. They are augmented with elements of practice from indigenous shamanic cultures in Mexico, South Africa, the Kalahari in Botswana, North Vietnam, and the Ecuadorian rainforest. She is the founder of Embracing Shamanism and co-founder of the Anam Cara Retreat Centre in Inverness. Her work is increasingly focused on helping establish a strong community of advanced practitioners and foundations for the emergence of a deeper Earth-based consciousness.

Co-convenors

Rebecca Newman

Rebecca Newman is a Research Fellow in the Department of Environment and Geography at the University of York. Her current work focuses on how governance can support and sustain actions towards food system transformation. Prior to this, she spent six years living and working in East Africa, specialising in how to integrate diverse knowledge, experience and perspectives into future planning processes. Her project topics range from beekeeping livelihoods in Kenya to water-energy-food nexus land use planning in Zanzibar and social determinants for agrivoltaics panel suitability in East Africa. Rebecca now lives in York with her two young children.

Curtis Ogden

Curtis Ogden is a Senior Associate with the Interaction Institute for Social Change and has extensive experience supporting multi-interest-holder networks and intra-organizational change efforts. C” tis” is a facilitator, process designer, trainer, coach, and network weaver focusing on transforming food, public health, communications and economic development systems. He has supported the launch of several state-level and regional food planning efforts in the US. Curtis is a member of the Research Alliance for Regenerative Economics (RARE) and The Transformations Community. He lives on traditional Nonatuc lands in western Massachusetts with his wife, three daughters, and a flock of laying hens.

Bruce Evan Goldstein

Bruce Goldstein is an Associate Professor in the Program in Environmental Design at the University of Colorado Boulder. He strives to develop close partnerships with designers and facilitators of transformations initiatives and organisations, such as learning labs, learning networks, and communities of practice. He seeks to understand how experts and communities can develop trusting relationships, innovate to adapt to social and ecological challenges, and foster transformational change. Bruce is particularly interested in the organisational design strategies and leadership and governance models that support transformative capacity-building. His work is inspired by the principles and techniques of participatory action research to engage practitioners in the research process and co-develop insights and capacities. Bruce leads the Transformations Conference Series and Community of Practice and is preparing for its seventh conference series in 2025.

Ioan Fazey

Ioan is an international expert on transformations and Professor and Director of Strategy at the Department of Environment and Geography, University of York, UK, with over 80 highly regarded peer-reviewed research publications. He is a Co-Founder of Transformationscommunity.org and founder of Transformational-change.com. He is an accomplished facilitator, coach, and trainer, working with groups and leaders to help them navigate complexity. His projects span five continents, working at all levels, from the Governor of Louisiana and his senior staff to illiterate community leaders in Bangladesh and remote areas of the South Pacific. He is an experienced shamanic practitioner and trainer, helping people undergo inner transformations so they are better able to support transformations on the outside.

Organisers

Thomas Haselböck

Thomas is a social entrepreneur, community weaver, and strategic doer. He joined the Transformations Community in 2022 as the conference manager for the TC23 conference and currently serves as Operations Lead. With over a decade of experience in event organisation, project development, and community-building, he has been involved in several initiatives and networks within the social impact space. His main interests include inner transformation, regenerative communities, and innovation ecosystems. Thomas is currently based in Spain.

Jane Güleç

Jane provides planning and support for projects within the York Environmental Sustainability Institute (YESI) at the University of York, drives the delivery of YESI's programme of meetings, seminars and events and acts as the external face of YESI providing information, advice and guidance for YESI researchers, partners and external stakeholders.

Belinda Morris

Belinda is responsible for the operational oversight of FixOurFood. Her interests lie primarily in maths and science – she holds a PhD in surface and solid state chemistry (Manchester) and spent several years tutoring maths and science to Key Stage 4. She built her experience in financial and project management whilst leading the Interpretation and Exhibition teams at the National Railway Museum. Prior to that, she worked as a science communicator – designing and delivering community science events around the Yorkshire region.

Sophie Stewart

As the Programme Manager for FixOurFood, Sophie manages the program across all associated universities and subsystems. Sophie liaises with stakeholders, provides strategy support and aids the team with their outputs. In addition, Sophie administers the FixOurFood Commission, the legacy project for FixOurFood. Prior to working with FixOurFood, Sophie facilitated the operations of the Bioscience Technology Facility in York and has a range of experience in events management, project development and future planning.

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