Creating the Conditions for Circularity: Churchill Fellowship Findings Released.
In 2025, Eugene Hooks was awarded a Winston Churchill Fellowship to investigate the enabling conditions needed to successfully embed circular economies in Australia. His Fellowship took him across the United States and Europe, engaging with people and organisations working across government, design, manufacturing, education, finance, research and community initiatives. His objective was to understand not simply what circular solutions exist, but what enables them to succeed, where progress is being constrained and what Australia can learn from international experiences.
A central finding from Eugene's research is that we are not necessarily short of ideas, technologies or examples of circularity in action. Rather, the challenge often lies in creating the conditions that allow these solutions to become accessible, commercially viable and embedded in everyday practice. The findings reinforce that circularity extends well beyond recycling and waste management. It encompasses how we design, produce, procure, consume, maintain and retain value within our economy, while recognising the importance of trust, education, capability, collaboration and aligned incentives.
Importantly, Circularity is not the responsibility of one sector, profession or level of government. It requires participation across the whole economy. Eugene's Churchill Fellowship report brings together the observations, experiences and lessons from his international research, exploring the interconnected conditions that can either enable or constrain progress.
Making the findings accessible
Recognising the importance of translating research into practical understanding, Eugene has collaborated with Elise Motalli, an Australian illustrator, to develop a visual one-page summary of the Fellowship's key findings.Accompanying the full Churchill Fellowship report, the one-pager brings together the core enabling conditions for circularity, highlighting how they connect and influence one another.
Designed to be accessible and relevant across all sectors, the resource is intended for people working in government, business, design, manufacturing, education and community organisations, as well as individuals interested in contributing to a more circular economy.
Rather than prescribing a single pathway, it provides a framework for considering the conditions needed to support circular initiatives. It encourages the recognition that meaningful progress requires an understanding of the wider system and the role we each play within it. The resource is intended to be shared, discussed and applied, helping translate the Fellowship's findings into conversations and actions that extend well beyond the research itself.
Putting learnings in to action
The Fellowship has reinforced Eugene's belief that Australia possesses the knowledge, creativity and capability to make meaningful progress towards a circular economy. The opportunity now lies in better connecting these strengths and creating the conditions that allow circularity to thrive. Through platFORMed, Eugene continues to share these findings, facilitate conversations and work with organisations seeking to translate circular ambitions into practical and lasting outcomes.
Explore the findings:
Listen to the Churchill Fellowship Report – Hear Eugene's observations, experiences and reflections from his international research.
View the Illustrated One-Pager – Explore the enabling conditions for circularity through an accessible visual summary, designed to encourage discussion and application across sectors.
Both resources are available to support learning, collaboration and action. If you would like to discuss any of the information contained within, further depth on specific learnings or explore opportunities for working together then please contact Eugene directly Eugene.hooks@platformed.com.au
Eugene's research was made possible through the support of the Winston Churchill Trust and the many individuals and organisations who generously shared their time, knowledge and experiences throughout the Fellowship.