This keynote spotlights how entertainment can be one of the most powerful catalysts for inspiring climate action - and how behavioural science can support the creative industry, build momentum and maximise impact. Dr. Anirudh Tiwathia explores the psychological principles and mechanisms that turn stories into action. Drawing on research, case studies, and examples from Hollywood, he shows how storytelling - by keeping narrative, not instruction, at the centre - can function as a behavioral intervention; and, how a research-informed approach can maximise its impact. The session also speaks to the importance of building an ecosystem for impact. The session maps why a research-informed ecosystem is essential for inspiring action at scale: highlighting how cross-sector collaboration, authentic storytelling, research-informed creative strategy, and thoughtful evaluation come together to help climate-friendly narratives reach wide audiences, shift norms, inspire behaviour change, and spark meaningful, measurable outcomes.
As the first panel of the day, this session brings together voices from science, storytelling, and government to explore how each sector approaches impact. Panellists share what drives their work, how they define success, and what they bring to the table. By surfacing different priorities, languages, and tools, the session highlights both the opportunities and the challenges of collaboration. It prompts reflection on how collaboration across disciplines can turn shared intent into tangible impact. The conversation leads into the World Bridging Café, laying the groundwork for deeper cross-sector dialogue.
This interactive session invites participants to connect across disciplines, exploring how storytelling, science, and strategic approaches can work together to tackle climate and energy challenges. Through guided small-group conversations, guests will build shared understanding, discover new possibilities, and explore ways to overcome the challenges of working across sectors. Each table will explore themed prompts designed to uncover common ground and spark fresh ideas. The session creates space for participants from all sectors — creatives, researchers, policymakers, and industry leaders — to understand each other’s perspectives and co-develop approaches that drive meaningful impact. Insights gathered here will feed directly into the afternoon Co-Creation Lab, shaping the collaborative work to follow.
Leading creative minds explore how narrative can be strategically used to engage audiences and drive impact. The session showcases the craft of creating compelling stories and the many ways climate and energy messaging can be woven across genres. It demonstrates how entertainment can shape perceptions, behaviours, and cultural norms, highlighting the power of story as a tool for real-world change.
Hear from leading experts in impact production, behavioural and social research, and communications as they share insights, tools, frameworks, and case studies for measuring impact across mass media, entertainment, and storytelling campaigns. The session highlights how research and creativity can work hand in hand, informing creative choices, amplifying outcomes, and ensuring entertainment and media initiatives achieve real-world change. It will be followed by a panel discussion unpacking lessons and practical takeaways.
In this hands-on session, attendees will turn the day’s insights into practical story-science collaborations. Working in facilitated small groups, they will apply lessons from the day to create engaging climate and energy narratives, incorporate behavioural science and psychology to enhance messaging and impact, and explore ways to measure outcomes. The session brings together the strengths of each discipline, fostering effective collaboration across creative, scientific, and strategic domains.
This closing conversation brings together representatives from across sectors to round out the day by turning ideas, connections, and energy into tangible next steps. The focus is on momentum, moving from inspiration to action and building a SHIFT ecosystem that continues to thrive beyond the event.
This high-energy, half-day workshop will bring together creative, research, and industry minds to tackle a real-world challenge - inspiring Australians to retrofit their homes and live more sustainably, as part of the RACE for 2030 initiative. Participants will help shape PowerHouse, a new real life TV project turning this challenge into compelling storytelling that drives change.
Opening with an introduction to the retrofit and energy efficiency challenge by Anthony Wright, and facilitated by James McGregor and Dr Danie Nilsson, the session draws on behavioural research and creative collaboration to design story formats, embed behaviour change strategies, and explore ways to measure real impact - culminating in a lively “Pitch Off” where ideas come to life.
