UPCOMING EVENTS
we. are. msls.
Creating Change in the Shadow of the Polycrisis
21 May 2025 | 6-7pm CEST Zoom
|
As humanity crosses 1.5 degrees of global warming, passes 6 planetary boundaries, experiences increasing societal destabilisation and enters a future made uncertain by technological advances, political shifts and polarisation, where does the work of co-creating a sustainable and just future fit? What is the case for education, participation, conversation, leadership, and hope?
Join the Master’s in Strategic Leadership towards Sustainability (MSLS) as it hosts a conversation between Dr. James Ayers and Yannick Wassmer where they discuss, share and reflect on their work as educators, facilitators and advocates of sustainable and just futures and how they think and cope personally and professionally with the challenge of the work, the state of the world and their desire for a different future. This event is an open online event, hosted by the Master’s in Strategic Leadership towards Sustainability (MSLS) a 10-month Master’s program based in Karlskrona, Sweden that aims to develop leaders able to co-create thriving, sustainable societies. All are welcome to attend. Speakers: Dr. James Ayers is the Co-Director of the Master’s in Strategic Leadership towards Sustainability (MSLS) at Blekinge Institute of Technology and a researcher in sustainability leadership, transformational education and leadership in complexity. His career has seen him work internationally in sustainability, international development and academia for over 15 years. Yannick Wassmer is a Senior Consultant with Reos Partners and the current Lead Facilitator of the Netherlands National Climate Citizen Assembly. Yannick’s career has seen him engage in questions of solving society’s most complex challenges through dialogue, participation and inclusion. He has a background in intercultural communication, addressing complex social challenge, social labs methodology, and Art of Hosting. |
|
Art of Hosting Training Karlskrona
16 - 19 June 2025 | BTH
|
We live in a time of rapid change—old systems are crumbling, and new possibilities are emerging. How we gather, listen, and co-create matters. The Art of Hosting is a practice for creating meaningful conversations— the ones that spark clarity, connection, and action.
Why join?
This is not just a training. It’s a space to step into the work that calls you. Are you ready? Register now! |
MSLS Alumni Digital Campfire:
Bioregional Transformation
23 June 2025 7-8:30 pm CEST | Zoom
|
The MSLS Alumni Digital Campfire is a virtual space for MSLS alumni to gather, connect across years, and share stories about their work in the world.
At the next MSLS Alumni Campfire on the 23rd of June at 7:00 pm CEST, we will hear from Viliana Dzhartova (MSLS 2019), Leon Seefeld (MSLS 2022) and Pieter Ploeg (MSLS 2016) speak about their Bioregional Transformation training in Greece in April 2025 and create some alumni check-in time. |
|
PAST EVENTS
MSLS Online Workshop:
The Inner Dimension of Sustainability Leadership
29 April 2025 | Zoom
|
|
The difficulty of working in a socio-ecological polycrisis has led many individuals and groups to question their ongoing capacity to work with implementing sustainability transitions. While addressing systemic issues with individual actions isn’t a sufficient response to global issues, ensuring that change agents have agency, skills and energy to create change is an important ongoing aspect of sustainability work. Especially as impacts of climate change and social destabilisation challenge leaders’ efforts to implement a sustainable future.
In this interactive online workshop we shared and discussed how sustainability leaders can develop and practice a distinct set of ‘intrapersonal’ skills and qualities that help them become more effective at creating systemic change towards sustainability, while also learning to better cope with the difficult and complex nature of the work. We offered and shared open-source resources, and our latest peer reviewed research on the skills and capacities we see as needed to implement sustainability. This event was open for those working in the field of sustainability and hosted by the Master’s in Strategic leadership towards Sustainability (MSLS) at the Blekinge Institute of Technology in Karlskrona, Sweden. Did you miss this event? No worries! You can watch the recording and have a look at the slides if you want. |
Learning to Lead in Complexity:
MSLS as a Master’s Programme Designed to Address Today’s Global Challenges
|
For 20 years the Master´s in Strategic Leadership towards Sustainability (MSLS) has been at the forefront of using education to cultivate leadership in the context of the sustainability crisis and create leaders capable of addressing the complex challenges humanity faces. This outcome has been driven by the belief that society needs more strategic leaders, driven by sustainability values and the ability to make wise decisions to cultivate a sustainable future. A leadership that is also required to respond to the increasing disruption and impacts caused by unsustainable systems.
At MSLS, the Leading in Complexity (LiC) course has played a key role in developing these core leadership qualities in its students. The unique pedagogy and approach of the LiC course have meant much interest has developed in the MSLS programme and how it uses learning to teach students to lead in complexity. To explain this and discuss the the programme as a whole, MSLS hosted an Open House for prospective students where we clarified more precisely why this type of this education is needed, just how exactly it can be taught, and we considered the question why it is important to learn how to lead in complexity. Enjoy watching the recording! |
|
MSLS Deep Dive:
Towards Net Zero Cities with Thomas Osdoba
3 Dec. 2024 19:00 - 20:30 CET | Zoom
|
We were thrilled to offer yet another exciting MSLS Deep Dive session with you on the 3rd of December. This time dove deeper into the theme of climate-neutral European cities with Thomas Osdoba, the programme Director for NetZeroCities - an EU-funded collaborative platform of 33 organisations supporting the European Mission.
|
MSLS Deep Dive:
In Conversation with Christiana Figueres
15 Oct. 2024 20:00 - 21:30 CEST | Zoom
|
We were thrilled to offer this MSLS Deep Dive: In Conversation with Christiana Figueres event!
The conversation with Christiana built on a scaffolding of questions sourced from MSLS Alumni and deep-dive into topics surrounding sustainability, climate change, leadership, personal practice, and more. About Christiana Figueres Christiana Figueres is a globally recognized leader on climate change. She was the Executive Secretary of the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) 2010-2016, where she played a pivotal role in the adoption of the landmark Paris Agreement. Known for her ability to build consensus and drive transformative action, Christiana is a powerful advocate for a just and sustainable future. She currently leads Global Optimism, an organization dedicated to inspiring climate action, and co-hosts the podcast "Outrage and Optimism." |
|
Celebrating 20 Years of MSLS: Alumni Reunion
17 - 12 June 2024 | BTH
|
In 2024, 200+ alumni from all over the world came back “home” to Karlskrona to celebrate 20 years of MSLS, and to re-connect with old and new friends.
MSLS would not be such a vibrant global tribe of changemakers were it not for the pioneers Göran Broman and Karl-Henrik Robèrt who started the MSLS programme at BTH back in 2004. Happy 20th birthday MSLS and thank you to the programme founders who have made this transformative learning experience possible! |
Art of Hosting Training Karlskrona 2024
11 - 14 June 2024 | BTH
|
The Art of Hosting is an approach to leadership that scales up from the personal to the systemic using personal practice, dialogue, facilitation, and the co-creation of innovation to address complex challenges.
The Art of Hosting Training in Karlskrona in 2024 centered around the question of how practicing participatory leadership methods can transform our capacity to lead, both individually but also collectively in order to co-create a thriving future for all. For four days, 60 people from over 20 countries and with diverse backgrounds explored what this question means for them and how they can use participatory leadership methods to inform their own lives and work. |
|
Education to Enhance Leaders' Capabilities to Lead Effectively
in Complexity towards Sustainability
30 May 2024 | BTH
|
Join us in applauding Dr. James Ayers for his successful PhD defense this summer!
James' research focused on what educators should consider when designing and implementing learning environments that promote leaders´ capabilities to lead effectively in complexity towards sustainability. His dissertation is a treasure trove of insights (link below). Congratulations Dr. James Ayers and a big shout out to MSLS alumna Alessandra Zaffiro for the beautiful graphic recording of the defense! |
MSLS Deep Dive:
Exploring Complexity Mindtraps with Jennifer Garvey Berger
12 December 2023 | Zoom
|
This was an exciting online event with renowned complexity expert Jennifer Garvey Berger.
On Tue Dec 12, 2023, at 20:00 CET, Jennifer guided us through an interactive session where we have explored common mindtraps that hinder our ability to navigate complexity effectively. |
|
Leadership Design for Strategic Leadership towards Sustainability
Merlina Missimer´s trial lecture for appointment of docent on 10 November 2023
|
|
This trial lecture was a profound exploration of Dr. Merlina Missimer´s invaluable contributions to the field, dating back to her PhD dissertation on "Social Sustainability within the Framework for Strategic Sustainable Development."
Merlina delved into various topics, including the intricate process of implementing social sustainability initiatives in corporate and municipal settings, her significant work in enhancing leadership capabilities for sustainability, and the essential knowledge she's gained about crafting learning designs that empower individuals to work strategically towards sustainability in these contexts. You could not attend the lecture or want to watch it again? Here is the recorded version for you, enjoy! |
Education for Sustainability Leadership:
Supporting and Empowering Agents for Sustainability Transformations
23 Aug. 2023 | BTH
|
Join us in applauding Dr. Jayne Bryant for her successful PhD defense in the summer of 2023!
Jayne's research focused on supporting and empowering sustainability transformation agents. Her dissertation is a filled with valuable insights:
|
|
Art of Hosting Training Karlskrona 2023
19 - 22 June 2023 | BTH
|
We are living in an increasingly uncertain world with an accelerating speed and scope of ecological and social disruptions. As we witness the dying of old structures and ways of thinking, we lean into inviting emerging patterns and practices to weave our new social fabric. What connects us in the transition from this current reality to a thriving future for all is the sense of urgency and taking agency for change. Being in the flow of the transition requires us to listen attentively to the needs of our communities and respond wisely within our collective capacities.
With curiosity and open hearts, a group of students from MSLS opened the invitation for the 12th Art of Hosting training in Karlskrona to learn and reflect on the ways we are leading and participating in the transition towards sustainability. Together, we inspired each other to take courageous actions towards a future that is led by participation and togetherness. |
MSLS Deep Dive: Exploring Cynefin
with Dave Snowden
8 Dec. 2022 | Zoom
|
In this 90 min session, Dave Snowden guided us in an exploration of the latest thinking and practice around the Cynefin Framework.
This free online event was open for everyone and organized by MSLS. |
|
MSLS Deep Dive: a Taste of Warm Data
with Nora Bateson
17 October 2022 - 6 PM CEST | Zoom
“There are unexpected possibilities that await in another order of parallel approaches. There is a territory of communication, relationships and daily living that allows for a total change — it is within reach, but not in the solutions currently being reached for.” - Nora Bateson
Warm Data” is the transcontextual information about and within the interrelationships that integrate elements of a complex system. Complex, systemic challenges are shaped by the interaction of multiple contexts—the economy, nature, politics, culture, technology, etc. —and in order to effectively address such challenges, we have to understand the transcontextual interdependence.
The Warm Data Lab is created to help release and revitalize sensitivity to the sacred processes of life that have been fragmented by the last several hundred years of history. Warm Data Labs are made for a broken world. The People Need People Online adapts this practice to exist in an online space, in a time when we need to be apart, and yet need to be together more than ever.
Grounded in over a century of deep theoretical roots and a lineage of systems thinking, the Warm Data Labs transform complexity science into an experiential approach of profound mutual learning and relationship building.
In this 2-hour session Nora Bateson will lean into an exploration rooted in theories that are often left out of systems thinking that inform Warm Data and get a taste of the online practice, People Need People (PNP). This experience allows for new kinds of unscripted and unexpected conversations which open fresh perceptions towards emerging territories of responsiveness where the value is in the relationships. These transcontexual conversations highlight the illusions of independence and widen our sensitivities to the entanglements of our living systems.
The Warm Data Lab is created to help release and revitalize sensitivity to the sacred processes of life that have been fragmented by the last several hundred years of history. Warm Data Labs are made for a broken world. The People Need People Online adapts this practice to exist in an online space, in a time when we need to be apart, and yet need to be together more than ever.
Grounded in over a century of deep theoretical roots and a lineage of systems thinking, the Warm Data Labs transform complexity science into an experiential approach of profound mutual learning and relationship building.
In this 2-hour session Nora Bateson will lean into an exploration rooted in theories that are often left out of systems thinking that inform Warm Data and get a taste of the online practice, People Need People (PNP). This experience allows for new kinds of unscripted and unexpected conversations which open fresh perceptions towards emerging territories of responsiveness where the value is in the relationships. These transcontexual conversations highlight the illusions of independence and widen our sensitivities to the entanglements of our living systems.
Can All of Humanity Prosper & Thrive on a Stable, Resilient Earth?
10 May 2022 9-10:30 AM CEST | BTH Multisalen
|
On 10 May the MSLS Programme invited Anders Wijkman to speak at the Blekinge Institute of Technology in Karlskrona. Anders, a Swedish opinion leader, author and regular guest speaker at MSLS, presented and discussed ”Earth4All” - a report that is launched in summer 2022, partly as a 50-year follow-up to the Limits to Growth.
”Earth4All" is an international initiative, supported by the Club of Rome, Potsdam Institute for Climate Impact Studies, Stockholm Resilience Center and the Norwegian Business School. The purpose is to accelerate the systems-changes we need for an equitable future on a finite planet. For those of you who could not join us, watch the recording below!
|
MSLS Presents -Visioning, Rebelling, Adapting: Sustaining Hope in Hell
4 May 2022 3PM CEST | Zoom
Esteemed sustainability activist Jonathon Porritt joined us for an online event at MSLS on May 4th titled: Visioning, Rebelling, Adapting: Sustaining Hope in Hell. Jonathon is co-founder of Forum for the Future, President of Population Matters, President of The Conservation Volunteers, a Non-Executive Director of Willmott Dixon Holdings, and a Director of Collectively (an online platform celebrating sustainable innovation). He is involved in the work of many NGOs and charities as Patron, Chair or Special Adviser. During this event he discussed his long career advocating for sustainability and the sense of optimism he feels despite the ongoing challenges we face. Jonathan was interviewed by Rebecca Laycock-Pedersen and talked through his latest book Hope in Hell: A Decade to Confront the Climate Emergency.
MSLS Presents: Adam Kahane & Yannick Wassmer in Conversation
21 oct 2021 3-4:30 PM | Zoom
|
We welcomed all change agents, facilitators, designers, hosts, and leadership practitioners to join Adam Kahane, director of Reos Partners, and the MSLS Programme for a conversation about his latest book ‘Facilitating Breakthrough: How to Remove Obstacles, Bridge Differences, and Move Forward Together’.
Adam has spent his career working as a leading thinker, organizer, designer, and facilitator of processes through which business, government, and civil society leaders can lead social change and move through 'tough problems'. He has written numerous books including: Solving Tough Problems, Power and Love: A Theory and Practice of Social Change and his work and thinking has been a source of inspiration to the MSLS Programme. We stepped into a conversation about how transformative facilitation can help create thriving, sustainable and just societies. This event was held in collaboration with Reos Partners and hosted by MSLS alumnus and Reos Associate Yannick Wassmer. For those of you who could not join us, watch the recording! |
|
Art of Hosting Training Karlskrona 2019
16 - 19 June 2019 | BTH
|
In a world with increasingly big challenges such as climate change, water scarcity, migration, poverty and general divisions between people, it is vital we come together to make sense of and address them. We face these challenges as individuals, citizens of the Earth, and as communities and organisations. Engaging and energizing ourselves at these different levels requires skills in dialogue, working in complex systems, and helping the whole be more than the sum of its parts. This is why we called the 10th Art of Hosting Karlskrona training with the question:
How can we build our capacity to co-create the world we want to live in as humans, communities, organisations, and citizens of Earth? What capacities are required to work with these diverse groups within a complex and rapidly changing world? What is the individual’s role and how can we empower each other? The Art of Hosting training provided us with the space for such inquiries. It gave us the necessary methods and practices to explore our individual and collective roles in the world through meaningful conversations. |
Celebrating 15 Years of MSLS: Alumni Reunion
24 - 26 June 2019 | BTH
|
“Will there be enough leaders in time?” It is this simple yet powerful question that Dr. Göran Broman and Dr. Karl-Henrik Robèrt put out in the world in 2004 and lies at the core of MSLS.
Over the years more than 700 of us - sustainability leaders from 86 countries - have said yes to this invitation to embark on a journey of transformation on the beautiful archipelago of Karlskrona. And now it´s time to come home! Our intention for the reunion was to renew and strengthen the sense of our community - to celebrate life and the work we do in the world. |
|
Celebrating 10 Years of MSLS: Alumni Reunion
16 - 20 June 2014 | BTH
