#11 Nicole Loeser: Transdisciplinary collaboration for the blue transformation

In this episode of Ocean Collaborations, Jan Maisenbacher speaks with Nicole Loeser about transdisciplinary collaboration and discover how it fuels blue transformation.

Nicole Loeser is co-founder of the Institute for Art and Innovation in Berlin and director of the Futuring Alliance. With more than 20 years of experience leading 350+ transdisciplinary projects, Nicole brings a rare synthesis of art, circular economy, and systemic foresight into the ocean space.

💡 If you have ever wondered how to integrate creativity, foresight, and systemic strategy into your own practice for ocean regeneration, this a bit longer than usual episode is a lighthouse!

How do we reimagine our relationship with the ocean so that it is not only protected but regenerated — and how do we design the systems and collaborations that make this possible?

Tune in to be inspired by the power of working together across disciplines as our conversation weaves through:

* Why trust is the ultimate enabler of circular and regenerative economies.

* The role of youth as co-leaders in shaping futures that are both hopeful and actionable.

* How art-based foresight methods like the Art for Futures Lab and Ocean Future Lab help us imagine – and prototype – systemic solutions.

* The call for a “Ministry for the Future for the Ocean”: a polycentric, collaborative hub where science, indigenous knowledge, and innovation meet.

Nicole reminds us that transformation is not only technical, but cultural and civic. That it begins with creating spaces of agency where diverse voices come together — often as “unlikely allies” — to co-design futures within planetary boundaries.

Nicole’s work is a living example of how bold visions can be translated into collaborative infrastructures that build resilience for people and planet alike.

Connect with Nicole Loeser on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/nicole-loeser-128366a/

Organisations we talked about:

* The Futuring Alliance (TFA) – www.futuring-alliance.com

* Institute for Art and Innovation (IFAI) - www.art-innovation.org

Nicoles linklist:

* Nicoles PhD project: Co-Producing Social Art for Transformation - https://www.filmuniversitaet.de/en/article/detail/blue-circular-scenes-social-art-for-transformation

* Ocean Future Lab - www.universal-sea.org/ocean-future-lab-eng

* Sustainable Coastal Futures – www.universal-sea.org/prep-4-blue

* Social Art Award 2025 „Blue Tribes for Ocean Health“(www.social-art-award.org)

* The Universal Sea – www.universal-sea.org

* Valencia Water Council – www.tribunaldelasaguas.org/es/

* Worldforming, a system innovative framework by TFA - https://futuring-alliance.com/worldforming/

* Green Education in Media – www.gem-project.eu

* Global Youth Call on Peace (open from September 21) by Alliance for Youth-Led Futures - www.catalystnow.net/what-does-peace-mean-to-you

* Art For Futures Lab – www.artforfutureslab.com

* Token4Change - www.token4change.li