Creative Living in Chaotic Times-Education in the Anthropocene, Creativity and Collective Action for Living Well in a Changing World

Creative Living in Chaotic Times Education in the Anthropocene, Creativity and Collective Action for Living Well in a Changing World Hybrid Symposium | Western Sydney University-Parramatta | 26 November 2026 9am-4pm Creative Living in Chaotic Times Not your usual symposium. Creative Living in Chaotic Times moves from the hyperlocal to the international, bringing together creative thinkers and doers who want to make a difference in their own communities while confronting the larger forces shaping how we live. Through in-conversation and participatory sessions, we explore the defining challenges of our time—from violence, economic inequality and the climate crisis to social and political fragmentation, the anxious generation, and the future of human creativity in an age of AI. But this is also about hope, agency and action. Experience embodied, trauma-informed eco-wellbeing practice; exchange ideas and stories; contribute your art and hopes for our collective futures to the Love Letters to the Earth exhibition; and help co-create a Manifesto for Creative Living for what we need, individually and collectively, to live well in chaotic times. Come to listen, question, create, connect and act. Only 50 in-person places are available register now to be part of the conversation.

What kind of world are we educating for, and What kind of humans are we becoming within it? The Creative Living Symposium is a one-day interdisciplinary gathering in community and creative dialogue to explore how education can support living well, acting wisely and creating more just and sustainable futures within planetary disruption. At the centre of the symposium is Creative Cultural Wellbeing: the role of creative, cultural and educational life in supporting human flourishing, ecological awareness, agency and community wellbeing in the Anthropocene. Why this symposium matters Reimagine education as a shared practice for living with uncertainty, caring for place and acting collectively. Explore creativity as a human and planetary capacity for meaning-making, agency, critique and renewal. Connect universities, cultural institutions, communities and education systems in practical and imaginative ways. Develop shared propositions for a Manifesto for Creative Living and Education in the Anthropocene. Key Highlights : Featured Thought Leaders

Professor Florian Schneider, Founding Director of Institute for Creativity, University of Galway and President of the Society for Artistic Research. Curator, writer and filmmaker. Dr Gus Casely-Hayford OBE , Inaugural Director of V&A East (UK) London. Danielle Denichaud, RHN MA Holistic Nutritionist and Trauma-Informed Wellness Educator,University of Toronto Dr Jane Gleeson-White — Writer and Author on economics, value, nature and flourishing societies. Viv White AM, Co-founder of Big Picture Learning Australia — young people’s interests, agency and meaningful learning. Associate Professor Dr Josh Wodak,Western Sydney University. Researcher, Writer and Artist Kiri Zakinthinos, CEO Curiousworks. Arts writer and Creative Producer Caitlin Newton-Broad Educator at Liverpool Boys High School and Creative Producer Emmanuel K Asante Visual artist Associate Professor David R. Cole — Western Sydney University Academic, Writer and Author in philosophy of education, Deleuzian thought and Anthropocene living. Dr Karin Louise- Western Sydney University Creative and Cultural Wellbeing . Artist, Academic, Cultural Researcher We especially invite contributions from: Creative institutions, interdisciplinary research cultures and international communities of practice. Universities, cultural institutions and communities to work together. Learners, philosophers, researchers, artists , creatives and citizens responding creatively to ecological, social and technological change. Creative and Community leaders. Young people Future partners with Western Sydney University Symposium outcome Participants will work towards shared propositions for a Manifesto for Creative Living and Education in the Anthropocene, identifying practical possibilities for research, curriculum innovation, community practice, institutional partnerships and future collaborations. Join us to imagine and create a sustainable way of living for the future in collective action! Hybrid participation available. This is a primarily an in person event and online participation can be arranged. In person- 50 places only available https://events.humanitix.com/creative-living-in-chaotic-times-education-in-the-anthropocene-creativity-and-collective-action-for-living-well-in-a-changing-world For Online Participants Only -Free to Register https://uws.zoom.us/meeting/register/xIfdjePQToatFDwsUP_AlQs After registering, you will receive a confirmation email and a zoom link which will be sent a week prior to the event.

Getting to the Conference – Western Sydney University, Parramatta City Campus Venue: Peter Shergold Building, Western Sydney University Parramatta City campus, One Parramatta Square, 169 Macquarie Street, Parramatta Conference room:TBC Please use public transport if you can. The building is about 2 minutes' walk from Parramatta Station, and there is no on-campus parking. Public transportTrain: Get off at Parramatta Station. Walk through the station's Retail Link into Parramatta Square, or use the Macquarie Street or Darcy Street exits. It's about a 2-minute walk. Bus: The Parramatta Bus Interchange is less than 100 m from the building. Light rail: Use the Parramatta Square stop on the Westmead–Carlingford line. Trams run about every 9 minutes. From Sydney Airport: Take the train to Parramatta and change at Central. Allow about 60 minutes. From Western Sydney International Airport: The Super Shuttle WSI express bus runs to Parramatta CBD. Fares start from $25. Plan your trip at transportnsw.info. Tap on with Opal or a contactless card. Driving and parkingNo on-campus parking. Parking inside Parramatta Square is for tenants only. Parramatta Square Public Car Park (Wilson Parking): Enter by the ramp at the corner of Smith Street and Darcy Street, take the second exit at the roundabout, and follow the signs to the public car park on Level B1. It's open 24 hours and cashless. Parramatta Station Car Park (Wilson Parking): 15–17 Wentworth Street. It's open 24 hours, cashless, and about a 5-minute walk away. Westfield Parramatta: Paid shopping-centre parking, about 2 minutes' walk away. Street parking: Metered and time-limited, so it's not suitable for a full day. Cost: CBD car parks charge by the hour or the day. Check the operator's website, or book ahead for a cheaper rate. Drop-off, taxis and ride-shareTaxi and ride-share pick-up and drop-off is on Darcy Street, outside 6 & 8 Parramatta Square. There are also Kiss + Ride drop-off points on Darcy Street around Parramatta Square. On the dayEnter Parramatta Square from Macquarie Street, Smith Street or the station link. The Peter Shergold Building is at 169 Macquarie Street.