Season 3: Learning from nature how to design a regenerative world with Dr. Melissa Sikosana

In Season 3 of Black Earth Podcast, we are meeting visionary black women who are creating innovations inspired by nature.

In this episode, we meet Dr Melissa Sikosana. She is a biomaterials scientist who is passionate about connecting art, science and design to solve society’s problems.

Dr Melissa speaks with us about an exciting discipline called biomimicry. Biomimicry is the art and science of learning how nature creates life in order to redesign a more regenerative and resilient world. 

Dr Melissa shares with us what biomimicry is and how we can apply it to change the world around us and our relationship with nature.

Get ready for an inspiring episode that will leave you in awe of nature.

Timestamps 

00:00 - Introductions

4:37 - Melissa’s relationship with nature 

13:08 - How Melissa came across biomimicry

16:52 - What is biomimicry?

21:35 - The three seeds (principles) of biomimicry

27:23 - An example of how to apply biomimicry to design something

34:50 - Biomimicry is practiced across cultures all around the world

44:58 - Decolonising knowledge   

51:40 - Using biomimicry to redesign our social and political institutions 

01:02:00 - Affordable or free resources for you to learn more about biomimicry 

01:02:43 - Marion’s experience with eco-grief and how biomimicry is helping her

01:06:30 - How to support Melissa and Melissa’s work

Resources mentioned in the episode 

• Website: Biomimicry Institute 
• Website: AskNature.org
• Book: Teeming by Tamsin Woolley-Barker

How you can support Black Earth Podcast:

• Subscribe to our podcast wherever you listen to your favourite podcast and leave a review!
• Connect with us on Instagram, LinkedIn and Tiktok @blackearthpodcast
• For partnership opportunities email us at blackearthpod@gmail.com

How you can support Melissa

• For collaboration opportunities contact Melissa via LinkedIn: Melissa Sikosana