Description
This event brought 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 was an opportunity to engage with leading academics and practitioners in circular ecosystems, who discussed three different themes, to give participants opportunity to shape the future of the conversation on inter-organizational relationships for circular economy. Together, the aim is to co-create pathways for advancing circular ecosystems in different contexts.
| Period | 3 Mar 2026 |
|---|---|
| Event type | Workshop |
| Location | London, United KingdomShow on map |
| Degree of Recognition | International |