7 Sept 2026
Global Futures and Just Transformation: Michael Bayliss presents Degrowth at Curtin University, Western Australia
This episode centres on a presentation given by Michael Bayliss to postgraduate students in April 2026 on the topic of Degrowth, as part of the Global Futures and Just Transformation course at Curtin University in Western Australia.
This is the second year that the hosts of PGAP have been invited by the unit lecturer, Dr Paul M. Pulé (https://pgap.fireside.fm/guests/dr-paul-m-pule), to present on Degrowth as part of the course. In 2025, Michael was joined by Mark Allen, who facilitated a Holistic Activism workshop and guided meditation.
The full summary of this unit can be read at the bottom of the show notes, after the timestamp.
On both occasions, the presentations have generated very positive feedback and high levels of engagement from the class. It has been particularly encouraging to see students from all corners of the globe actively participating in discussions about why Degrowth is so critical for sustainability and what post-growth futures might be possible.
Paul and Michael with some of the students of the 'Global Futures and Just Transformations' class of 2026
This episode is divided into two parts. First, we hear Michael Bayliss’s presentation, with additional contributions from Paul Pulé. Second, we hear the Q&A and discussion with the class. This section has been edited to protect the privacy of class participants and therefore focuses mainly on the responses from Paul and Michael. There is also some additional commentary from Mark and Michael between these recordings. More information on the timestamp below.
This commentary includes a summary of some of the very positive feedback that PGAP has received from our listeners. To all our listeners, thank you so much for your continued support. We encourage you to contact us via the PGAP contact form (https://pgap.fireside.fm/contact) to share your experiences with Solastalgia, or to provide feedback and recommendations for future topics and guests.
Doughnut Economics and the Circular Economy
During the presentation, Michael discussed both Doughnut Economics and the Circular Economy. Questions have subsequently been raised about how best to distinguish between these two approaches, since both use circular models.
Our distinction is that the Circular Economy does not necessarily consider the size of the circle. In theory, it is possible to have a growing economy with zero waste, while the circle itself continues to become larger. Doughnut Economics, by contrast, recognises that ‘size matters’: if the economic circle is too small, our needs are not adequately met; if it is too large, we exceed the ecological ceiling and enter overshoot.
This image produced with the assistance of AI
Population
There was also some thoughtful discussion in the second part of the episode around the issue of population. If you are interested in exploring PGAP’s perspective on this issue in greater depth, we recommend our blog article, “To populate or not to populate? How we can come together around the eternal debate of everyone’s favourite vexed issue (https://pgap.fireside.fm/articles/population)”.
Accompanying blog
We have also written a blog to accompany this episode, which you can READ HERE (https://pgap.fireside.fm/articles/slides-from-global-futures-and-just-transformation-presentation). The blog provides access to all of the slides Michael used during his presentation, giving you the option of following along with the presentation visually as you listen to the episode.
Timestamp:
Start - 00:02:45 Introduction with Mark Allen
0:03:00 - 0:48:12 Guest Presentation 'Degrowth, Marginality & Decoloniality' from Michael Bayliss
0:48:27 - 0:54:23 Intermission with Mark Allen and Michael Bayliss
0:54:38 - End Q&A with Michael Bayliss, Paul Pule and class of Global Futures and Just Transformation
Course Summary
Unit: Global Futures and Just Transformations at Curtin University
Lecturer: Dr. Paul M. Pule
This unit adopts a broad social sciences approach to understanding different visions of just futures through the lens of different worldviews. It allows students to reflect on the often-implicit assumptions that come with their own value systems when evaluating inequalities, resilience, development pathways, and intersecting crises as well as clashing visions for and trajectories to equitable, responsible, and sustainable futures. The unit provides students with the tools to navigate the unprecedented emergencies, comprehend the scale, speed, and extent of the societal transformations needed, and bring into being more equitable futures as part of a postcolonial world, locally and globally, across a variety of contexts. Students will learn how to address difficult ethical questions such as what is fair and for whom, and how to nourish responsibility, care, and hope, across difference.
PGAP is produced with the kind support of Sustainable Population Australia (https://population.org.au/)
Special Guest: Dr. Paul M. Pulé.
