“I bomme as a bombyll bee dothe”: An (un)random research journey

Net Zero is an awkward term. It proposes a harmonious and balanced state for people and planet that belies the complexity, urgency, and scale of the transition required. It is a statement of the destination without acknowledging the necessary and transformative change required by citizen and society. However, it is precisely within this journey of challenge and change – moving from the extractive and exploitive towards positive ecological and social value – that design practice and knowledge become necessary. This chapter provides a reflection of one design academic’s journey, from designer to early career design researcher to Principal Investigator of a substantial, sustainable plastic packaging research project, and how global and personal challenges have shaped his journey. It will also discuss the value of allowing oneself as an early career researcher the freedom to pivot context and collaborators and to recognise that sometimes a bit of randomness – some amount of bumbling – is a positive thing.