June 25–27, 2025 | York, UK
TCX-York: Organising for Transformation
TCX-York concluded successfully
Welcome to the TCX-York conference
Hosted by the University of York from June 25–27, 2025.
TCX-York concluded successfully
Holding Space for What's Emerging -
From York to Johannesburg
What does it mean to organize for transformations, not just in our projects, but in how we show up with each other?
That was the guiding question at 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 like transformative governance, inner change, and learning through experimentation.
Rather than presenting polished findings, participants shared tensions, insights, and unfinished ideas through practice sessions, dialogues, creative expression, and five powerful case studies on food systems change. It was a space for reflection,
for relationships, and for staying with what’s still emerging.
Alongside this, insights from TCX York are helping shape the future of the Transformations Community Agora, an evolving commons designed to connect and support transformative projects.
This ethos continues at TC/ESG25 this August, where we’ll build on York’s momentum to further explore translocal collaborations and grounded initiatives in global transformation. If you’re ready to join a community committed to transformation, reflect on complex systems, and engage with these ongoing conversations, don’t miss TC/ESG25.
TCX-York ticket prices
Registration is now open for both contributors and participants. With only 10 places left, don’t miss this opportunity to engage with scholars and experts in exploring transformational change. Register now to secure your spot!
Students
Delegates
What did the program include?
During the event, there was an opportunity to:
Engage in dialogue about leading research and practice in the field of transformations.
Participate in experiential workshop sessions to explore tools and methods for supporting transformational change.
Participate in a collective exploration of how to organise for change at scale through exploring food system change using an applied regional case study of Yorkshire, connecting with insights from the transdisciplinary FixOurFood research program.
Consolidate key concepts and ideas on how to organise for, and support continued efforts for systems change across different scales.
TCX: A Platform for Experimental Engagement
TCX is an innovative experimental space for the Transformations Community, focusing on action-driven participatory research and dynamic collaboration. Tailored to specific topics and regions, TCX features specialized conference tracks, workshops, and online events.
TCX-York Partners
Location of TCX-York
Spring Lane Teaching Building
Located on the edge of Spring Wood, between Derwent College and the Berrick Saul building, the Spring Lane Teaching Building offers a welcoming and well-equipped environment for learning, collaboration, and connection. Designed with flexibility and comfort in mind, it features modern teaching and audiovisual facilities that support engaging, interactive sessions throughout the conference.
Accommodation
Please note accommodation is not offered through the conference booking process. Should you require accommodation, we have provided below a list with suggestions of hotels and guest houses in the local area that you can contact directly.
Explore More
For Guesthouses and B&Bs in York please go to the Visit York website.
Themes
Inner Transformation for Outer Change and Leadership
Transformative Governance for a Sustainable Just and Equitable Future
Transformation-focused evaluation and learning
Travel Information
The University of York is a 15-minute taxi/bus journey (dependent on traffic) from York Railway Station. Taxis are available directly outside the station.
The First Bus route U2 (Stand RJ at York train station) will take you to the University of York, you can view the full timetable on the First Bus website: First Bus. You will need to get off the bus at University Library; ask the driver to let you know when you get there!
You can also download the First Bus App to plan your journey and buy tickets in advance.
Streamline Taxis +44 (0) 1904 656 565
Fleetways Taxis +44 (0) 1904 365 365
Parking at the University of York is limited and is available on a first come first serve basis. Where possible we recommend travelling by public transport.
The closest car park to the conference venue is Campus Central (Car Park 2.4)
Other car parks are available and are a short walk away – Campus West (Car Park 6.2, Zone 6) and Campus South (Car Park 6.1, Zone 6)
Please view the Pay and Display information page for the locations of all car parks and information on parking charges.
Please be advised that the pay & display machines on campus do not accept notes or cash only credit/debit cards. Alternatively you can pay via the PaybyPhone app by credit/debit card. Evening parking is free from 18:00 to 08:00.
Accessible parking bays reserved for blue badge holders are available across campus, see the information page for more information: Accessible travel and parking
For Detailed Information on how to reach York by Rail/ Bus /Car/ Air please see the travel information page on the University of York website: Travel information
Catalysts, co-convenors, and organisers
CATALYSTS
Mick Cooper
Professor of Psychology at the University of Roehampton
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.
Featured session
From Outer Transformations to Inner Transformations and Back: Psychological Growth for a Thriving World
What is the relationship between transformation at the outer, social level and inner psychological change? What do we need to do differently, ‘inside’, to facilitate global sustainability and thriving? In this talk, internationally-recognised psychologist Professor Mick Cooper—author of Psychology at the Heart of Social Change: Towards a Progressive Vision for Society (Bristol University, 2023)—will explore the relationship between inner and outer change. The first part of the talk will look at the importance of inner wellbeing for an understanding of global thriving, considering initiatives such as Wellbeing Economics that place psychological health at the heart of social and economic policy. Drawing from his latest book, Mick will then discuss parallels between inner and outer transformation, demonstrating the opportunities for learning and integration across psychological and wider social and political domains. Finally, Mick will address the question, ‘What kind of inner changes do we need to support wider global progress?’ Reviewing such work as social and emotional wellbeing in schools and ‘inner development goals’, Mick will argue that we need to radically develop our understanding of the inner competencies, characteristics, and processes needed to facilitate wider societal transformation.
Zenda Ofir
International Evaluation Specialist, BRICS New Development Bank
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. She has a special interest in transformative development, in decolonising development and evaluation, in the relationship between humanity and nature, and in how to accelerate progress towards urgently needed large-scale transformations.
Featured session
The (Transformative) Potential of Evaluation for Transformation
We know that evaluative thinking is deeply human. We also know that formal assessment has been in use for millennia—serving elites, the common good, or both. While modern evaluation was formalised in the West post-WWII, it has since evolved across sectors and geographies, adapting to diverse contexts, cultures and needs, its shifting purposes and value reflected in changing acronyms—from M&E to MEL, MERL (Monitoring, Evaluation, Research/Reflection, Learning), SMLE (Systems Monitoring, Learning and Evaluation) and, most recently and not yet common, SMILE (Strategy/Systems, Monitoring, Impact, Learning and Evaluation).
This enduring engagement with evaluation as systematic practice is no accident, and the reasons are compelling. When well executed and used, it makes us smarter in strategy, plans and decision spaces about what to do and achieve—and why, how, when, for and with whom; under what conditions, worldviews and values; and with what consequences and impact. It can accelerate progress, mitigate risks and help to steer or influence change in ways that enhance the chance of success. Despite this, evaluation is often seen through too narrow or biased lenses, distorted by fear, misunderstanding and poor practice; weakened by linguistic, sectoral and ideological divides; and misused for political ends or strategic deflection. Yet now we need it at its best: in a world in flux, in transition—grappling with intensifying polycrisis, metacrisis, permacrisis—the full potential of evaluation must be harnessed to support the systemic local-to-global transformations the world urgently needs.
I will argue that integrating appropriate evaluation practice with transformation efforts is not optional, but a critical responsibility for specialists in both domains. I will illustrate this by briefly revisiting one or two historical large-scale transformations, showing how evaluation could have been of value had its potential been fully deployed. I will also show that evaluation can engage with transformation in multiple dynamic ways; working together at the nexus of evaluation and transformation across disciplinary, sectoral and ideological boundaries will advance both fields. And since we are only at the beginning of this journey, I will invite us collectively to reimagine and use evaluation as an essential practice for navigating humanity’s most complex challenges with wisdom and foresight.
Twobirds Cunningham
Shamanic Elder,
Leader and Trainer
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
Environmental Science Researcher
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
Senior Associate at the Interaction Institute for Social Change
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.
Stay connected
Stay tuned for more updates and detailed agendas as we approach the event dates.
We look forward to welcoming you to York for an unforgettable experience.
Noted & Quoted
TC/ESG25 Conference
August 18–21, 2025
Johannesburg, South Africa
TCX-York
June 25–27, 2025
University of York, UK
TC/ESG25 Conference starts in:
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