Resilience Thinking for Development

Johan Rockström, born December 31, 1965, is a pioneering Swedish scientist who serves as Director of the Potsdam Institute for Climate Impact Research (PIK) and holds professorships at both the University of Potsdam and Stockholm University. He is internationally renowned for developing the Planetary Boundaries framework in 2009, which defines the safe operating space for humanity on Earth. His distinguished career includes founding the Stockholm Resilience Centre and serving as Executive Director of the Stockholm Environment Institute. Recently awarded the 2024 Tyler Prize for Environmental Achievement, Rockström's research focuses on global sustainability, climate change, and water resources, with over 150 research publications. He teaches several courses through the SDG Academy, including "Planetary Boundaries" and "Transforming Development," and leads the Master's Pathway in Foundations of Sustainable Development program. As Chief Scientist at Conservation International and chair of multiple international initiatives including the Earth Commission, he actively bridges scientific research with policy-making to address global environmental challenges

Michele-Lee Moore serves as the Director of Transdisciplinary Education and Deputy Science Director at the Stockholm Resilience Centre, bringing a diverse academic background with degrees in Ecology, Geography, and Global Governance. Her groundbreaking research focuses on social innovations and transformations in water governance, exploring how societies can develop positive and just futures that support social-ecological-cultural resilience. She has established herself as a prominent figure in sustainability science through her leadership of significant programs, including the GRAID programme and the Water Innovation and Global Governance Lab. Her expertise spans across transformative agency, social-ecological systems resilience, and governance innovations, with extensive fieldwork experience from remote glaciers in Canada to shrimp aquaculture in Thailand. Moore maintains multiple academic appointments, including positions at the University of Victoria and University of Waterloo, while serving as an editor for prestigious journals like Ecology & Society and Sustainability Science. Her innovative approach to education and research combines traditional academic methods with creative communication strategies, including videos, podcasts, and social innovation labs, making complex sustainability concepts accessible to diverse audiences. Through her work at the Stockholm Resilience Centre, she continues to advance scientific understanding of transformation processes and design learning spaces that support sustainable development.