The Transcendence Imperative

We currently find ourselves well entrenched in our status quo, which for most is recognised as unsustainable and ill equipped to support systemic innovations. A cornerstone for unleashing our society from this state is the intentional, strategic transcendence of existing boundaries.

Boundaries of:

  • Our current reality
  • Individual wants and needs
    ·      Disciplinary silos
    ·      Organisations
    ·      National borders
    ·      Space and time (the orientation to here and now)

All of these transcendence points are also very real entry points for enhancing sustainability, resilience, and innovation within our communities and systems. This online session will address the mindset and behaviour that is called for to transcend these established boundaries and engage very differently beyond our current comfort zones.

Dr. Jorge A. Vanegas is a close colleague of The Sustainability Society having presented at several of our previous conferences. Dr Vanegas is Dean of the College of Architecture at Texas A&M University and Research Professor with the Texas A&M Engineering Experiment Station of the Texas A&M University System, in College Station, Texas, U.S.A.

His focus in his scholarly and professional activities is on:

  • Creativity, innovation, design, and entrepreneurship;
  • Built environment sustainability – urban, infrastructure, and facilities; and
  • Advanced strategies, tools, and methods for integrated capital asset delivery and management in the  Architecture/Engineering/Construction industry.

He holds a Bachelor’s degree in Architecture from Universidad de los Andes in Bogotá, Colombia, as well as a Master of Science and Doctorate degrees in Construction Engineering and Management from the Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering at Stanford University in California, U.S.A. With over 30 years of interactions and collaborations within and across academic disciplines and institutions, and also public and private organisations, both nationally and internationally, Dr. Vanegas lives in the world of disciplinary, institutional, and national transcendence.

When: Thursday 22 October, 12 – 1:30pm