Michiel Schwarz

Michiel Schwarz is a Dutch cultural thinker, innovator and strategic consultant. He is the co-creator/author (with designer Joost Elffers) of the "Sustainist Manifesto". The manifesto is a cultural vision for the 21st century, which The New York Times called "a new ethos for design". With this book Schwarz and Elffers brought the word “sustainism” into the public consciousness.

Sustainism marks a new cultural era and a collective perspective on a world that’s becoming more connected, more localized and more sustainable. The concept of sustainism is at the heart of Michiel’s current activities in consultancy, cultural innovation, writing and strategic vision development.

Originally trained as a sociologist of technology (Ph.D., University of London), Michiel has written widely on the nature of our “technological culture.” He has initiated a wide range of projects on global issues, the future of design, network society, media culture and creative innovation. Prior to Sustainism, his books include The Technological Culture (with Rein Jansma) and Speed: Visions of an Accelerated Age (with Jeremy Millar).

Michiel's latest book is the Sustainist Design Guide: How Sharing, Localism, Connectedness, and Proportionality are Creating a New Agenda for Social Design  (co-authored with Diana Krabbendam). He is developing projects on sustainist culture from his Amsterdam-based Sustainism Lab, and is currently Artist in Residence at the Amsterdam Academy of Architecture and Reinwardt Academy.