1. The ethos element is why we practice biomimicry;
the reconnect element is about regaining an
understanding of the relationship between humans
and the rest of nature; and emulate is the action.
Biomimicry Thinking is a framework that helps to
practice biomimicry. Following the steps within
the phases of design process (scoping, discovering,
creating, evaluating) ensure successful integration
of life’s strategies into human designs.
WHAT IS BIOMIMICRY?
Biomimicry is a design discipline, a new way of viewing and valuing nature,
an innovation method that seeks sustainable solutions by emulating nature’s
time-tested patterns and strategies, e.g. a solar cell inspired by a leaf. The
goal is to create products, processes, and systems - new ways of living - that
are well-adapted to life on earth over the long haul.
Investigating the fundaments of Biomimicry for solving complex challenges systemically
WHERE DOES BIOMIMICRY STAND TODAY?
As an inspiring theory of practice biomimicry produced many case studies
from various industries, mainly at form and process level. However, the
challenges we are faced with today increasingly demand a system level
approach as they are too complex to solve in isolation.
The theoretical fundament for biomimicry is currently unclear as well as
how biomimicry can be applied at a systems level in business and society.
PRELIMINARY RESEARCH OBJECTIVES & QUESTIONS
1) Perform systematic analysis and comparison of the system’s character of
biomimicry
2) Formulate an implicit theory of biomimicry (assumptions/hypotheses)
3) Consciously create a system and bring that to life in order to apply
circularity and biomimicry at a system level in practice
EXPECTED OUTCOMES
• Contribution to theory/theory development of biomimicry at system level
• Positioning of biomimicry in respect to familiar theories
• Fundamental insights that can be applied in the practice of large complex
system challenges
This research is still in a very premature stage. All suggestions and constructive feedback is welcome!
Promotor
Prof. Dr. J.J. Jonker
PhD candidate
drs. Saskia van den
Muijsenberg MBA
saskia@biomimicrynl.org
Saskia van den Muijsenberg is Director
and co-founder of biomimicryNL and a
Certified Biomimicry Professional. She
catalyzes innovation by enabling others to
explore life's design strategies to develop
new ideas into real business opportunities.
Jan Jonker is professor at the Nijmegen
School of Management (NSM) of the
Radboud University Nijmegen and visiting
professor at the Business Schools of
Toulouse, Kaunas and Barcelona. His
research concerns corporate responsibility
in relation to new business concepts and
business strategy.
Life’s Principles are design lessons from nature.
They are the key success factors of evolution, and
help designers set aspirational goals, model
innovative strategies and measure designs against
these sustainable benchmarks.
1) What complex practices currently exist were biomimicry is being
applied at a systems level?
2) How to do an experimental design for new complex cases in practice?
ESSENTIAL ELEMENTS BIOMIMICRY THINKING LIFE’S PRINCIPLES