A Fragile Weave: The Promise of Planetary Supply Chains in an Era of Geopolitical Rupture

INVITATION
A Fragile Weave: The Promise of Planetary Supply Chains in an Era of Geopolitical Rupture

The event will look at planetary supply chain networks as sites of fracturing geopolitics and competition. What future then for sustainable, regenerative practices? Can the notion of ‘the planetary’ provide a lens for exploration and pathways towards shared regenerative futures?

MONDAY, 24 MARCH 2025, 13:00-15:30 GMT
in person and live streamed - TICKETS REQUIRED TO JOIN IN PERSON

As part of the Entangled Futures Salon series, we are thrilled to invite you to a panel discussion on planetary supply chains hosted by the Research and Knowledge Exchange Office at Middlesex University. The event will begin with a short introduction to the PCI by the Chair, Zehra Zaidi OBE, Mission Lead for Planetary Civics at Dark Matter Labs.

SPEAKERS:

• Anupreet Bhui is a leading fashion and trend-forecasting expert with over 20 years of global experience. She blends AI-driven insights with deep industry knowledge. As the founder of her Hong Kong-based Design Consultancy, she helps brands like LVMH and Givenchy navigate evolving consumer trends and market shifts, aiding their expansion across Asia. She also works with WGSN, UK and has previously worked as Design Head at Levi Strauss APAC, gaining hands-on experience in supply chain structures and market dynamics. Anupreet’s expertise lies in sustainability, digital transformation, and forecasting future industry shifts.
• Dr Varsha Gupta is a Professor at NIFT Delhi with over 30 years of experience in Industry and Academia. She did her Doctorate in the area of Recycling of Textiles and used System Dynamics modelling for Sustainable Development. She has led the NIFT- UNEP partnership activities towards Sustainable Fashion education.
• Dr Francesco Mazzarella is a design researcher, educator, and activist, striving to plant seeds of hope and change, especially working with marginalised communities. He is a Reader in Design for Social Change, at London College of Fashion (LCF). His work at Centre for Sustainable Fashion (CSF) aims at exploring ways in which design activism can be used to create counter-narratives towards sustainability in fashion.
• Dr Alice Payne is a Professor and Dean of the School of Fashion and Textiles at RMIT University, Melbourne. Her research focuses on environmental and social sustainability issues throughout the life cycle of clothing. Her recent work has examined labour issues in the cotton value chain, as well as technologies to address textile waste. As part of the PCI launch, Dr Payne has published a special Issue of Fashion Highlight titled “Fashion’s Fibres as Planetary Flows”. Her UK visit is being kindly supported by Manchester Metropolitan University.
• Dr Patsy Perry is a Reader in Fashion Marketing and Departmental Lead for Research and International at Manchester Fashion Institute, Manchester Metropolitan University. Her research interests include the management of corporate social responsibility and environmental sustainability in global fashion supply chains, and she is often featured in the national and international press and media.
• Dr Neelam Raina is Director of Research at Middlesex University. She acts as an Associate Professor of International Development and Design at Middlesex University, London. Her research interests include conflict, security, peace building, material cultures, gender, and livelihood generation in fragile, conflict affected states with a focus on South Asia.
  

The Planetary Civics Inquiry (PCI) is an alliance of policymakers, thinkers, researchers, educators, strategic designers, and practitioners committed to transforming the structures and processes that shape how we govern our entangled planet. Initiated by Dark Matter Labs, Politics for Tomorrow, Center for Complexity, and RMIT University.

AGENDA:

1.00 Introduction to the PCI and welcome by Zehra Zaidi

1.10 Panel Introductions

1.20 Panel Discussion

1.45 Audience Q&A and Open Discussions 

2.30 Close of Event + Networking

VENUE DETAILS:

campus guide below - Barn 2 is in the Model Farmhouse complex at the Hendon campus, off Church End (close to the Greyhound Hill bus stop)