Colin Russo

Futurist, University of the Sunshine Coast

Dr Colin Russo is a professional futurist facilitator and award-winning engagement expert. Colin has worked in a number of local and state government roles for executive and policy clients, Director General’s and CEO’s Offices, political offices, workplace training and technical roles, and focuses on the delivery of futures workshops, foresight and engagement 'action learning'. He provides advice for the creation of 'smart city' strategy and delivery of stakeholder and community co-designed initiatives. His PhD in Futures Studies is entitled “Engaging Futures: futures methods transforming governance” and was researched at the University of the Sunshine Coast, Queensland.

Colin completed his Bachelor of Business at QUT in 1992 before commencing his Master of Business also at QUT. He worked in a series of State Government roles: as a Policy Officer in the Policy Coordination Branch of the Department of Environment consulting around key Queensland centres on new policy and legislation; Liaison Officer, Director General’s Office in the Department of Environment; and Major Projects Officer in the Director General’s Office Department of Mines and Energy, Queensland.

He then moved to the Sunshine Coast and coordinated the Community Consultation program at Caloundra City Council. In 2003 a further ‘sea-change’ took him to the Gold Coast where he was an award-winning Coordinator Community Consultation for eleven years. He prepared consultation policy, managed an engagement panel and an online consultation platform and delivered a significant number of consultations. The role worked within the Office of the CEO directorate – requiring regular liaison with the Mayor’s Office.

In addition to teaching Business, Training and Development and Workplace Psychology early in his career, Dr Russo contributed to the Journal of Futures Studies and the Futures journal. He has written about city futures, smart state futures and alternative engagement futures.

Most recently, he has presented work from his PhD to audiences in the USA, Taiwan and Australia. In May 2016 he was a facilitator of the two-day workshop Aboriginal Workforce Futures 2030, for the Victorian State Government, Melbourne. In February 2017, he presented and facilitated the two-day workshop UCQ 2027, for more than 100 people, in Brisbane.

Colin currently resides in greater Brisbane with his wife Heidi and daughter Juliette. His email address is colinrusso@engagingfutures.com