KU News Release

Sutton lecturers to discuss sustainability and biomimicry in business

LAWRENCE — “Sustainable Business: Innovation and Design Inspired by Nature” is the title of the annual Sutton Lecture, sponsored by the International Center for Ethics in Business, the School of Business and the Net Impact student organization at the University of Kansas. KU’s Student Senate and Department of Design also are providing support for the lecture.

Daniel Arneman

The lecture, which focuses on biomimicry, will be held at 7 p.m. Monday, April 20, at Spahr Engineering Classroom in Eaton Hall. The lecture is open to the public, and no tickets are required.

The lecture will be preceded by the recognition of the 2009 School of Business RESPECT award winners. The school’s “Positive Code of Conduct” awards recognize students for their responsibility, enthusiasm, self-esteem, professional integrity, equity, compassion and teamwork.

Biomimicry is the practice of looking at the natural environment for inspiration in creating value offerings with positive financial, social and environmental benefits. Biomimicry also shifts the focus from finding instant answers to asking appropriate questions.

Asheen Phansey

— What principles lie at the heart of our design challenges, and how would nature solve these problems?
— How would the solutions fit the larger ecosystem context?
— What materials would the processes use, and how would they repurpose waste?
— What happens to our products after their intended uses?

A panel of experts comprising Daniel Arneman, Asheen Phansey and Kevin Stack will present the biomimicry framework and case studies of its ongoing practice. Arneman applies his passion for environmental stewardship and social responsibility as the principal carbon strategist for the University of North Carolina-Chapel Hill. Phansey, president of

Quaking Aspen LLC, has dedicated his career to the innovative materials, processes and business models required to achieve sustainable industrial growth. Stack is owner and president of Northeast Green Building Consulting, a design and building consultancy that integrates science- and performance-based ecological building standards through construction management.

Kevin Stack

The Sutton Lecture Series is made possible by a gift in 1993 from Betsey G. Sutton in memory of her husband, Walter Sutton.

The International Center for Ethics in Business is a cooperative effort by the School of Business and the College of Liberal Arts and Sciences. The center aims to promote individual and corporate integrity in U.S. and international business through research, service and training on ethical principles and behavior. Co-directors are Douglas R. May, professor of business, and Richard T. DeGeorge, University Distinguished Professor of Philosophy.

Media advisory:

The three speakers will meet with the media before the Sutton Lecture at 3:45 p.m. Monday, April 20, at 124 Summerfield Hall, 1300 Sunnyside Ave.

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