Webinar Description
We are pleased to invite you to an engaging and transdisciplinary panel discussion on "Orchestrating Circular Ecosystems: A Symphony or a Cacophony?". This event brings together academics and practitioners from diverse geographies, places, and contextual settings to explore how circular ecosystems function, interact, and evolve and how academia and the world of practice interact better to orchestrate and coordinate circular ecosystems. This collaboration is needed in order to bridge the gap between theoretical research and real-world implementation.
Circular ecosystems are increasingly recognized as fundamental to achieving circularity at local, national, and global levels, yet they are shaped by distinct geographical and spatial scales. As Aarikka-Stenroos et al. (2021) highlight, ecosystems vary in focus, whether on value exchange, material flows, or knowledge creation, and their orchestration depends on how these elements interact within a given place. Ecosystem scholars often add another metaphor of 'orchestrating' into this literature (Sandberg 2023), drawing from music to illustrate the coordination required among diverse stakeholders in a circular ecosystem.
In this analogy, the maestra(o) represents the orchestrator—often a lead firm, policymaker, or governance body—who ensures alignment and synergy amongst various stakeholders. However, orchestration is not universal; it is deeply shaped by place and geography, as circular ecosystems emerge within specific socio-economic, cultural, and institutional contexts.
The composition of an ecosystem’s 'orchestra' varies across regions, with different stakeholders, resources, and governance structures influencing how circularity is enacted. What harmonizes in one setting may create discord in another, as local regulations, industrial capabilities, material flows, and cultural perceptions shape how businesses, academia, policymakers, and consumers interact. Just as a symphony is adapted to its venue, audience and individual players, circular ecosystems require place-sensitive orchestration, where the role of the maestra(o) is not only to align efforts but to attune to local dynamics, bridging global circular principles with regional realities to create regenerative and context-specific solutions.
This is an opportunity to engage with leading academics and practitioners in circular ecosystems, shaping the future of the conversation on inter-organizational relationships for circular economy. Together, we aim to co-create pathways for advancing circular ecosystems in different contexts.
We look forward to your participation and contributions to this timely discussion.
Please note: There is no guarantee that this session will be recorded so attendance is advised.
Provider Information
Staged by the Orchestrate Project (funded by the BAM/SAMs Grant Scheme)
In collaboration with:
BAM Innovation SIG
BAM Sustainable and Responsible Business SIG
BAM Entrepreneurship SIG
Event Panels
For each theme, there is an academic-practitioner pair. Each panel will introduce themselves, share s brief presentation, and discuss their respective areas. Attendees will then have the opportunity to ask questions based on the theme and disccussants. (Please note that due to timings, not all questions may be answered).
Theme 1: Conceptual Foundations of CE Ecosystems and Ecosystem & Orchestrate Metaphors
Theme 1: Conceptual Foundations of CE Ecosystems and Ecosystem & Orchestrate Metaphors
Prof Paavo Ritala and Sari Kola, Director, EnergySampo Ecosystem
- Is ecosystem the right metaphor and/or are we using the ecosystem metaphor correctly when applying it to circular ecosystems that we observe?
- Why have many adopted the metaphor ‘orchestration’ to characterize the management and coordination of different types of ecosystems?
Theme 2: Practicing and Performing Circular Ecosystems
Theme 2: Practicing and Performing Circular Ecosystems
Gary Walpole and Declan Lee-Merrion, Sustainability Manager at Bluestone. British National Park Resort/Hospitality
- How would you define a successful circular ecosystem or a high performing circular ecosystem from your perspective? From the circular ecosystem cases studied thus far, what can we say about dos and donts for a healthy and vibrant circular ecosystem?
- How does it look like when one is ‘practicing’ and ‘performing’ circular ecosystems? What are the challenges and joys of enacting circular ecosystems?
Theme 3: Roles and Responsibilities and Place embeddedness for Circular Ecosystems
Theme 3: Roles and Responsibilities and Place embeddedness for Circular Ecosystems
Lina Dagiliene & Regional Authority involved in Circular Ecosystems in Lithuania
- How should different stakeholders be orchestrated to ensure effective collaboration between different stakeholders?
- How do roles and responsibilities change based on where these ecosystems are based? What is the role of place in circular ecosystems?
- How do circular ecosystems emerge differently in different places? Are place-based conditions shaping the emergence of distinct orchestrators and dynamics? How do local, national, and global circular ecosystems interact and influence one another?
Who Should Attend?
Academics, practitioners, policymakers, sustainability leaders, and those interested in circular ecosystems.
The event speaks to all Sections, as detailed in the BAM Framework
Guest Speakers
TBCChaired by
Benefits of attending
- Knowledge on circular ecosystems;
- Practice-academic collaboration;
- Advancing theory and practice of circular ecosystems.
Contact
Please contact the BAM Office at [email protected] with any queries.
Event Fee
BAM Member: Free
BAM Non-Member: £60
If you are booking multiple paid events as a Non-Member, it may be cheaper for you to purchase a BAM Membership as nearly all BAM Events are free or at a discounted rate for Members.
For more information, please visit BAM Membership
Registration closes on 2nd March 2026 at 23:59 GMT.
Payment and Cancellation Policy
Payment for the event must be received before the start date of the event concerned. Access will not be permitted to the event if full payment has not been received.
Cancellations
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Cancellations received within 14 days of booking your place on the event will receive a full refund.
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Cancellations received after the 14-day cancellation period and later than 14 days before the start date of the event will not be eligible for a refund.
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Although we endeavour to run all events as advertised, BAM reserves the right to cancel any event if, for example, there are not enough people to justify running the event or if other significant unforeseen circumstances arise.
To cancel a booking a cancellation request must be submitted via your BAM Account, to do this:
- Go to your BAM Account
- Click 'My Events'
- Under 'Upcoming Events' will be the booking, please click Cancel Booking
- Follow the steps and complete the request