June 25–27, 2025 | UK

TCX-York: Organising for Transformation

Welcome to the TCX-York conference

Hosted by the University of York from June 25–27, 2025.

Submit Your Proposals

Submission deadline: 30 November

Join the Transformations Community in the historic city of York to explore how to organise more effectively to support transformational and systemic change and overcome significant contemporary challenges such as climate change and health and social issues. This includes exploring how to best organise, lead, or mobilise for transformations within organisations, communities, cities, or regions.

Organising for Transformation will be a dynamic and engaging space to learn from and collaborate with leading scholars and experts in transformations. This gathering will have a maximum of 100 people, offering an opportunity to establish meaningful connections.

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.

Explore more about TCX

What will the program include?

During the event, there will be 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-York Partners

Engage with the TCX-York conference

Give a presentation

Submit a proposal for a presentation about examples of good practice, conceptual work, or empirical or practice-focused studies. Presentations from practitioners and academics at all career stages are encouraged.

Lead a practice session

Propose a 1.5-hour experiential session featuring a process or taking a group through a method or tool you use in your work focused on supporting transformations related to one of the conference themes. The emphasis here is on delivering something engaging rather than on a collection of presentations.

Themes

Inner Transformation for Outer Change and Leadership

Co-create new insights about inner transformation and leadership.

It’s widely held that inner transformations—such as changes in an individual’s values, mindsets, and paradigms—are needed for wider system change to occur. This includes the kinds of inner changes needed for new models of governing, organizing, and leadership to emerge. Many questions remain, however, about what constitutes inner transformation, how change on the inside relates to transformations on the outside, how inner transformations can be supported, and how inner change enables or complements more effective leadership for transformation.

Transformative Governance for a Sustainable Just and Equitable Future

Develop a more integrated understanding of how transformational concepts can be implemented in practice through alternative types of governance.

To drive transformations in systems, there is a need to connect system actors in a way that ensures cohered action towards just aims. This task can be intimidating as we are yet to fully understand the role of governance in breaking down the beliefs and values that hold the current system in place or the structures we need to put into place to effectively integrate people and knowledge across scales to enable cohered action.

Transformation-focused evaluation and learning

Share and learn about tools and practices and gain new insights into how you can support others or enhance your transformational work.

Organizing effectively for change requires embedding new kinds of reflexive and transformations-focused evaluation and learning across scales of organizing to keep the ambition high and drive transformational change. While there are now well-established approaches and principles of transformation-focused evaluation, much has still to be learned about doing this in practice.

An Extended TCX-York Learning Experience

Offered in conjunction with the TCX-York conference but held independently, “Transform from Within” is a three-stage course designed to help participants connect with their inner purpose and become catalysts for change. Led by Professor Ioan Fazey, this course integrates Shamanic practices with experiential learning for deep self-discovery and transformation.
 

Stage 1 (Online): Foundational Practices | May 5, 12, 19 & 26, 2025

Stage 2 (In-Person): Intensive Gathering in York | June 30 – July 4, 2025

Stage 3 (Online): Manifesting Transformation | September 1, 8 & 15, 2025

This course is ideal for leaders, change-makers, and those seeking to align inner growth with outer impact.

Read more

TCX-York ticket prices

Student / Practitioner

★ Early bird discount
£ 280
  • Full Price: £300​
  •  
The price will increase to £300
after the early bird discount ends.

Delegate

★ Early bird discount
£ 360
  • Full Price: £390​
  •  
The price will increase to £390
after the early bird discount ends.

Registration will open once abstract submitters are notified of the outcome, anticipated for early in the new year.

Catalysts, co-convenors, and organisers

CATALYSTS

Mick Cooper

Zenda Ofir

CO-CONVENORS

Twobirds Cunningham

Curtis Ogden

Explore More

Submission Criteria

What’s your transformation?

Submissions are open for papers related to good practice, conceptual work, or empirical or practice-focused studies. You are also encouraged to propose a 90-minute experiential session focused on how to support transformations related to the conference themes.

Presentations

We are looking for a wide range of presentations from scholars and practitioners that might include examples of good practice, conceptual work, or empirical or practice-focused studies related to systems change. This can include examples of food system change in research or practice. We encourage presentations from practitioners and academics, and from all career stages.

  • Extent to which the presentation focuses on transformations or systemic change rather than incremental or marginal change
  • Degree to which the proposed presentation is related to the themes of the conference;
  • Extent to which the presentation provides clear or novel conceptual or practical insights/lessons;
  • Extent to which it adds diversity relative to other proposals selected.
  • Title of the presentation
  • Names of presenters
  • Title of the lead presenter (we want to ensure we have good representation from early career scholars and professionals)
  • Affiliation of lead presenter
  • Email address and social media handles
  • Brief description of the lead presenter’s background (50 words max)
  • 3-5 keywords that describe the presentation
  • Proposal (200 words max), which will also be used in the conference brochure if your proposal is accepted
  • Technical needs for the presentation
  • Permission to record

Practice sessions

The aim of practice sessions is to introduce methods, tools and approaches that help us with transformations in practice. We encourage sessions that are experimental, dynamic and engaging.

  • Extent to which the proposal focuses on transformational or systemic change
  • Extent to which the session is experiential, engaging, facilitated, or in mini-workshop style rather than delivery of a series of presentations
  • Degree to which the proposed presentation is related to the themes of the conference
  • Extent to which the presentation provides clear or novel conceptual or practical insights/lessons
  • Extent to which the proposed session adds diversity relative to other proposals selected
  • Clarity and practicality of the design of the workshop (The practice sessions will be of 1.5 hours in length, and will need to cater for a range of around 15-40 people)
  • Title of the practice session
  • Names of presenters
  • Affiliation of session lead
  • Email address and social media handles
  • 3-5 keywords that describe the practice session focus
  • Brief description of the session leads backgrounds (50 words maximum per box, 3 boxes for 3 leads maximum)
  • Rationale, aims, and overview of what participants can expect (200 words maximum), which will also be used in the conference brochure if your proposal is accepted
  • Explanation of how the session will be delivered, i.e., a delivery process plan (maximum 200 words).
  • Any technical requirements needed
Submit Your Proposals

Submission deadline: 30 November

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.

Join our newsletter

A journey of transformation

This inspirational course invites you to awaken your fullest potential and align with your true purpose through the ancient wisdom of Shamanic practice. Guided by expert trainer and facilitator Ioan Fazey, you will embark on a unique journey of self-discovery, inner transformation and growth.

This course is for those that align with the mission and purpose of the TransformationsCommunity.org – for leaders, change-makers, scholars and professionals who want to see a better world, feel pulled towards something greater, and have the sense that they have not yet stepped into their full potential.

Learn more

Noted & Quoted

“Speaking and learning at TC23 was an incredible and insightful experience. The Transformations Community is uniquely enriched with various scholars and practitioners.”
Taiwo I. Olatunji
Taiwo I. OlatunjiPhD Researcher
"The best gift of every conference is connecting to interesting people, and #Transformations23 was no exception! Three days full of new experiences and non-traditional ways of learning, moving and sensing. Cherry on the top - Prague is a wonderful city!"
Eugenia Castellazzi
Eugenia CastellazziPhD candidate. Global Sustainability graduate
"#Transformations23 #TC23 was a blast: lots of great ideas and insights, many great conversations with interesting people, lots of grounded determination and hope to find positive alternative futures. It's going to take a while to digest it all."
Meredith Lewis
Meredith Lewis
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TCX-York: Organizing for Transformation | 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. 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.

Co-convenors

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.

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

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.

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.