The Natural Edge Project The Natural Advantage of Nations Whole System Design Factor 5 Cents and Sustainability


"TNEP have once again brought a world-leading and inspirational author and practitioner to Australia - this time Janine Benyus, a truly remarkable scientist, creating biological inspirations for the "hard" sciences. Just as we now need social scientists at our side, so too it seems, biology and biologists must play a part in our engineering practice."
Philip Bangerter, Global Director-Sustainability, Hatch Associates





Download the TNEP Team CV

Karlson 'Charlie' Hargroves – Research Principal/Co-Founder: Charlie graduated in Civil and Structural Engineering from the University of Adelaide in 2000, and is currently completing a PhD in Sustainable Industry Policy with Professor Peter Newman at Curtin University. Working with the TNEP team Charlie has contributed to development of a number of internationally renowned books on sustainable development working leaders in the field, including a blend of 'Natural Capitalism' and 'Competitive Advantage of Nations’ mentored by Amory Lovins and Hunter Lovins, an update of ‘Factor 4’ with Ernst von Weizsäcker, and a response to ‘Our Common Future’ carrying forewords from Gro Brundtland and R.K. Pachauri. In 2005 Charlie spent 12 months on secondment as the CEO of Natural Capitalism Inc, USA, with Hunter Lovins, and is an Associate Member of the Club of Rome. (more...)

Dr Cheryl Desha – Research Principal/Co-Founder: Cheryl graduated in Environmental Engineering with First Class Honours and was awarded the University Medal from Griffith University in 1999, practiced for four years as a consulting engineer, and is currently completing a PhD in rapid curriculum renewal towards education for sustainable development with Professors David Thiel and Neil Dempster at Griffith University, and Professor John Fien at RMIT. Working with the TNEP team Cheryl has contributed to development of a number of internationally renowned books on sustainable development working leaders in the field, including a blend of 'Natural Capitalism' and 'Competitive Advantage of Nations’ mentored by Amory Lovins and Hunter Lovins, an update of ‘Factor 4’ with Ernst von Weizsäcker, and a response to ‘Our Common Future’ carrying forewords from Gro Brundtland and R.K. Pachauri. In 2005 Cheryl was selected as the Engineers Australia Young Professional Engineer of the Year. (more...)

Angie Reeve - Research Associate: Angie graduated in Environmental Engineering with First Class Honours and was awarded both the University Medal and the Environmental Engineering Medal from Griffith University in 2010. Since 2008 Angie has been a research assistant with TNEP and has contributed to a range of publications, reports and courses. Angie has secured a PhD Scholarsip to QUT, supervised by Dr Cheryl Desha, to progress her research in the area of biophilic urbanism, in collaboration with Curtin University and the Sustainable Built Environment National Research Centre.

Peter Stasinopoulos – Research Associate: Peter graduated in Mathematical and Computer Science, and Mechatronic Engineering with First Class Honours from the University of Adelaide, then completed a Masters in Whole System Design at the University of South Australia, before beginning a PhD at ANU. Since starting with The Natural Edge Project in September 2005, Peter has worked on a variety of projects across TNEP's Education and Industry Consultation portfolios. (more...)

Luke Whistler - Research Associate: Luke holds a bachelor of Civil and Structural Engineering from the University of Queensland and is currently a built environment consultant workig on a range of major infrastructure and sustainable urban development projets. His infrastructure experience includes management of design and construction phases for road, rail, airports and urban development for both the Client and Contractor. Luke has substantial experience in sustainability from an engineering and education perspective, and is a partner at FWR Group, a Sustainability Education and Consulting firm.

David Sparks - Research Assistant: Dave is a final year undergraduate student completing a Bachelor of Environmental Enginering at Griffith University. Dave has been a volunteer with TNEP for over 12 months and has contributed to a range of publications, reports and courses.

Annabell Farr - Research Assistant: Annabel is a 5th year undergraduate student completing a Bachelor of Civil Engineering and Mathematical Science at the University of Queensland. After completing an exchange to McGill University in Montreal, Canada to study urban and infrastructure planning, Annabel joined the TNEP team to follow her interest in sustainability and urban redevelopment.

Michelle Walker - Research Assistant: Michelle was previously a Water Conservation Officer for the Northern Territory Department of Natural Resources, Environment and The Arts, based in Alice Springs. In this role Miochelle focused on helping the community become more aware of water related issues and to improve individuals’ ability to save water in homes, gardens, schools and businesses.

Stacey Hargroves – Professional Copy Editor: Stacey graduated in Applied Science from the University of Canberra in 2002, completed a certificate in editing techniques from TafeSA in 2005, achieved a post graduate certificate in editing and publishing from the University of Southern Queensland in 2006, and has recently completed a Masters in Communications from the University of the Sunshine Coast in 2010, achieving 6.95/7 and receiving a Dean’s commendation. Stacey is an integral member of the TNEP team and copy edits and proof reads all if its major works and publications. (more...)