From Theory to Impact: Turning Behaviour Change Knowledge into Action

A free, in-person community event hosted by MAKE Studios at Gate 8 in East Melbourne.

You've read the books. You've listened to the podcasts. You’re talking about the value of behaviour change inside your organisation.

But how do you move from knowing what works to actually making it work? 

Join MAKE Studios for a practical and energising session designed to help you close the gap between learning and doing when it comes to behaviour change. Learn from our diverse panel of experts who are putting behavioural science into action, and connect with the Melbourne design community.

This is a must-attend for anyone leading social or corporate innovation, culture change, customer and employee experience design, embedding future skills or shaping government policy. 

Featuring:

• Dr Kate Barrelle – Chief Impact Officer and Co-Founder, STREAT
  
• Angela Bliss – Behavioural Science and Customer Experience leader
  
• Michael Trudgeon – Professor of Design, RMIT and Director, Crowd Productions
• Fiona Meighan – Director of Innovation at MAKE Studios and Open Innovator at STREAT

Together, we’ll explore:

• Turning theory and vision into decisions and action
  
• What works (and what doesn’t) when embedding behaviour change in real world projects
  
• How to get the most out of BJ Fogg’s latest behaviour change model
  
• Practical ways to start small and make a big difference - today
  

You’ll also have the chance to submit a live challenge for our panel to work on at the event so you can see how they bring theory to life in a hands-on, collaborative way.

If you’re seeking to spark positive change within your organisation, this is your chance to tap into practical expertise and walk away with actions you can use straight away.

☕ The STREAT café will be open on-site for all your morning beverage needs.
🎟️ This is a free event, but spaces are limited. Register now and share your challenge with us for the panellists to address.

🤝 This is an in-person only event. There will not be a recording or livestream.
If you are unable to attend in person, but are interested in learning more about Behaviour Change, please get in touch.

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Our panelists

Dr Kate Barrelle
Chief Impact Officer and Co-Founder at STREAT

Dr Kate Barrelle is a clinical and forensic psychologist specialising in translating behavioural science into measurable, real-world impact. As STREAT's Chief Impact Officer, Kate designed STREAT’s evidence-based support model and impact measurement framework, embodying her commitment to bridging research and practice.

Kate's work exemplifies the journey from intention to action. Based on her research with former extremists, she developed a framework and set of tools, which have been implemented in programs nationwide. Her behavioural frameworks help practitioners move beyond theoretical understanding to practical application, particularly in complex environments requiring both structured processes and adaptive approaches.

At STREAT, Kate leads communities of practice that apply behavioural insights to social enterprise challenges, transforming knowledge into collective action. She specialises in designing measurement systems that capture quantitative outcomes and qualitative behavioural change, ensuring interventions deliver meaningful impact rather than just activities. When not designing behaviour change frameworks, Kate works with Magic, STREAT's therapy dog, demonstrating practical applications of human-animal interaction on engagement and wellbeing.

Angela Bliss
Behavioural Science and Customer Experience Design Leader

Angela is a behavioural scientist and designer with over 20 years of experience helping shape products, services and communications for some of Australia’s largest organisations, including NAB, MECCA, The Reece Group, Wesfarmers Health, and the Victorian Departments of Health and Transport.

A former Head of Experience Design at NAB, she’s a leading voice in behavioural design—combining behavioural science with design to drive real-world change. Her recent projects include redesigning Victoria’s mental health service system post-Royal Commission, shaping MECCA’s future experience, and co-creating a fintech start-up with Reece.

Angela holds a Master’s in Behavioural Science (Distinction) from the London School of Economics and is a member of the Global Association of Applied Behavioural Scientists (GAABS). She’s especially passionate about the intersection of behavioural design and emerging tech.

Michael Trudgeon
Professor of Design at RMIT and Director at Crowd Productions

Michael Trudgeon is the founder of Crowd Productions, a design studio working in commercial architecture and industrial design. Projects range from national retail roll-outs, cinema complexes, major exhibition installations and commercial product ranges.

Michael's work focuses on identifying emerging technological potential and orchestrating prototyping programs to explore opportunities for design innovation. His approach is famous for being fun, fresh and practical, creating a welcoming space for active collaboration and problem-solving.

Fiona Meighan
Director of Innovation at MAKE Studios and Open Innovator at STREAT

Fiona is a psychologist and innovation leader with over 20 years’ experience in human-centred design, behaviour change, and facilitation. As Director of Innovation at MAKE Studios, she partners with some of Australia’s largest organisations to design better services, shift mindsets, and build cultures that support lasting change.

Fiona brings deep expertise in applying behavioural science to real-world challenges—helping teams translate strategic intent into tangible, people-centred action. Her work spans industries and sectors, from redesigning operating models to embedding new ways of working at scale.

In her role as Open Innovator at STREAT, she continues to explore how social impact, design, and innovation intersect to create positive change for individuals, teams, and communities.