Think: Business Futures

What happens when you finish your degree, full of hope and ambition - only to find that the job you trained for doesn’t exist, or isn’t hiring?  In the final episode of this series, Think: Business Futures explores the difficult and often disheartening journey that many young graduates face in low-income contexts, particularly in West Africa. Host Ali Aitken is joined by three expert guests from UTS in a candid conversation that spans continents, cultures, and career paths. From public sector dreams to entrepreneurial pivots, they look at the optimism gap, mismatched expectations, limited opportunities, and systems that don’t always support the transition from education to employment - and how these challenges compare to the Australian landscape. They are: Dr Esther Mirjam Girsberger, Senior Lecturer, Economics Discipline Group at the UTS Business School. Esther Mirjam currently runs a study on young graduates and their labour market opportunities in Cote d'Ivoire (West Africa). Esther Mirjam and her team surveyed more than 2,000 high school and university graduates about how they search for jobs and how they perceive the labour market to learn more about why they face high unemployment rates.  Dr Rebecca Addo, Research Fellow at the Centre for Health Economics Research and Evaluation (CHERE), and Professor Jua Cilliers,  Associate Dean of Research at the Faculty of Design and Society. What can we learn from each other? And how can we build systems that support young people, wherever they are? Hosted and produced by Ali Aitken

What if the way we invest money could either destroy ecosystems or help regenerate them? In this episode of Think Business Futures, we’re taking a look at the urgent and complex challenge of the biodiversity crisis. But this isn’t just a story about endangered species or vanishing rainforests. It’s about the invisible threads that connect nature to our economy, our wellbeing, and our future. We are joined by Madeline Combe, a PhD researcher at UTS whose work explores how systems change happens and how we can transition to a biodiversity-positive funds management system; and Mayleah House, Business Development Manager at Fremantle Seaweed and former Head of Stewardship at Ethical Partners Fund Management, who brings deep insight into the barriers and breakthroughs happening in the industry today. Find out how our financial systems - shaped by Western capitalist paradigms - have contributed to biodiversity loss, and what it will take to reverse the damage. From the concept of “super wicked problems” to the role of retail investors and the need for paradigm shifts in governance and fiduciary duties, this important conversation challenges conventional thinking and offers a hopeful, action-oriented vision for change.  Whether you're in finance, policy, or simply care about the planet, this episode will leave you thinking differently about the power of money, and the stories we tell about value. Hosted and produced by Ali Aitken

Gambling is no longer just a weekend activity, it’s embedded in our daily lives. In this episode, Think: Business Futures talks to Professor Ross Gordon, Director of the Change for Good Research Centre and professor of Behaviour and Social Change At UTS Business School, about the growing normalisation of gambling and the strategic marketing tactics driving it. From sports betting apps to ‘bet with mates’ features, Ross explains how gambling is being embedded into Australian culture, especially among young men. He shares insights from his research on the cumulative harm caused by low and moderate risk gamblers, the lobbying power of the gambling industry, and the urgent need for policy reform. We also explore the role of banks, the parallels with tobacco and alcohol marketing, and what it will take to shift the narrative from public health campaigns to behaviour change programs. Hosted and produced by Ali Aitken

As businesses race to meet net zero targets, many are turning to digital technologies to reduce emissions. But are innovations like AI, sensors, and blockchain truly delivering on their promise? In this episode of Think: Business Futures, we explore digital carbonisation and how Industry 4.0 technologies are reshaping climate strategy with Dr Yun Shen from the UTS Centre for Climate Risk and Resilience, and Dr Matthew Grosse, Senior Lecturer in Accounting and Program Director of the Master of Business Analytics at UTS Business School. In a practical, forward-looking conversation, we discuss whether digital innovation can meaningfully accelerate emissions reduction, what businesses often misunderstand about tech-driven decarbonisation, and the real-world barriers to adoption. Discover how AI and automation are transforming emissions tracking, and the critical mindset shift leaders must make to harness their full potential. Hosted and produced by Ali Aitken

If you had $100,000 to grow your startup, how much would you spend on marketing? Chances are - not enough. And you wouldn’t be alone. In this episode of Think: Business Futures, Ali Aitken is joined by Dr Ofer Mintz, Associate Professor and Associate Head of Marketing at UTS Business School, whose research uncovers a surprising truth: more than half of startups don’t invest in marketing at all. Ofer discusses: Why marketing is often misunderstood - and misused - by founders How skipping marketing hurts product-market fit, funding chances, and long-term growth Why adding a marketer to your founding team could double your odds of getting funded When to invest in marketing (and what that investment should look like) How to use AI tools wisely, without falling into the ‘shortcut trap’ So what’s going wrong? And what does it really mean to be customer-centric in a fast-moving, resource-strapped startup? Hosted and produced by Ali Aitken

Retirement isn’t what it used to be. More Australians are entering retirement with debt, navigating complex pension rules, and feeling financial pressure from family. To unpack how the concept of retirement is shifting, and the growing financial pressures facing older Australians, Think: Business Futures is joined by Kathy Walsh, Associate Dean (Research and Innovation) and Professor of Finance at UTS Business School, and Jemma Briscoe, Head of Research and Technical Advice at Aged Care Gurus. They explore practical strategies for managing debt in later life, weigh the pros and cons of using superannuation to pay off a mortgage, and break down the challenges of downsizing, including barriers to accessing the downsizer contribution. They also examine retirement options for renters and non-homeowners, and confront the rising issues of inheritance impatience and financial abuse within families. Kathy and Jemma offer valuable insights on how retirees can protect their financial independence and adapt to this evolving landscape with greater confidence. So why is retiring with debt becoming the new norm - and what can be done about it? Hosted and produced by Ali Aitken

What if your clothes could help fight climate change?  Think: Business Futures explores how Australia is leading the charge to decarbonise the fashion and textile industry. From circular supply chains and rental models to designing garments for reuse and repair, we look at how research, design, and industry collaboration are reshaping the future of fashion. We are joined by three experts working at the intersection of research, design, and industry - Dr Maruf Hossan Chowdhury, Associate Professor at UTS; Seamless CEO Ainsley Simpson; and Timo Rissanen, fashion and textiles researcher and academic lead at the UTS/TAFE NSW Centre of Excellence. Find out why decarbonising fashion is urgent, how rental and circular models reduce environmental impact, and how Australia’s first clothing stewardship scheme is helping brands and consumers shift toward circular fashion by 2030. Hosted and produced by Ali Aitken

What if the future of work for Indigenous Australians was shaped entirely by Indigenous voices? In this powerful episode of Think: Business Futures, we spotlight a groundbreaking initiative: the Centre for Indigenous People and Work at the University of Technology Sydney - the first Indigenous-led, self-determined research centre of its kind in Australia. We are joined by two trailblazers - Professor Nareen Young, Co-Director of the centre and one of Australia’s leading thinkers on workplace diversity, and Tanya Hosch, Chair of the centre’s Advisory Board and a nationally recognised advocate for Indigenous rights and inclusion. Find out the vision behind the centre and why Indigenous leadership is central to its mission, how the centre is challenging outdated employment systems and reclaiming the narrative around Indigenous work, and we look at the role of research, policy, and corporate culture in creating lasting, systemic change. Hosted and produced by Ali Aitken

In this episode of Think: Business Futures, we dive headfirst into the shifting tides of women’s surfing.  We are joined by two changemakers making serious waves: Dr Ece (AJ) Kaya, Senior Lecturer at UTS Business School and co-author of the landmark report Waves of Change: Women and Surfing in Australia, and Shanice Ryder from Surfing Australia, who’s leading the charge to support women and girls in the sport. Together, we unpack the deep-rooted barriers women have faced in surfing - from being sidelined in the lineup to fighting for equal prize money and leadership roles. We spotlight the grassroots programs, research, and local clubs that are flipping the script and shaping a more inclusive surf culture. What does it take to carve out space in a sport that wasn’t built for you? Hosted and produced by Ali Aitken

How celebration can be a catalyst for change? In this episode, Think: Business Futures dives into the vibrant world of cultural festivals and their powerful role in shaping a more inclusive Australia. Ali Aitken is joined by Pavlina Jasovska, and Najmeh Hassanli, both senior lecturers at UTS Business School, and Fatma Mohamed from the Africulture's Festival Committee. The conversation explores how events like the Africultures Festival go beyond celebration to foster cross-cultural understanding, economic opportunity, and social integration. They unpack how these community-led festivals break down cultural stereotypes and promote mutual respect, provide platforms for cultural exchange and small business development, and help new migrants connect with local communities and essential services. The episode also highlights the critical role of ongoing support from governments, local councils, and individuals in sustaining these initiatives and ensuring their long-term impact. Hosted and produced by Ali Aitken