Chun-Yin San

Explorer, Social entrepreneur

Chun-Yin leads the ThinkPlace Strategy, Insight & Foresight practice, partnering with clients to challenge norms, envision possible futures, and take actionable steps for long-term success. His expertise lies in foresight and analytical thinking, honed through a background in Science, Technology & Society Studies (STSS) and public health research. Highly regarded for his ability to analyse complex issues, Chun-Yin combines quantitative and qualitative insights to address systemic root causes. His strategic foresight work has supported high-profile projects in Australia, South-East Asia, and the UK, partnering with organisations like the Australian Government, Singaporean Government, World Bank, and Asian Development Bank. Two major projects led by Chun-Yin has received Australian Good Design Awards: a participatory futures approach to Australia’s National Strategy for Volunteering and workforce management tools for the agricultural sector. He is a contributor to the Participatory Futures Global Swarm, An experienced facilitator, Chun-Yin’s workshops are celebrated for their inclusivity, engagement, and adaptability to diverse settings, ranging from town halls to aquariums. Beyond ThinkPlace, Chun-Yin dedicates himself to volunteering. As Corporate Director of TEDxCanberra, he oversees large volunteer teams for high-production events. He also mentors Culturally and Linguistically Diverse (CALD) youth, advocating for greater diversity in leadership, and serves as a Social Entrepreneur-in-Residence for Mill House Ventures. Chun-Yin holds an MSc in Science Communication (Distinction) and a BSc (Hons) in Biomedical Science with Global Health (First Class Honours) from Imperial College London, with his Master’s thesis focusing on participatory foresight in national science and technology programs.

I am passionate about designing new models of democratic innovation, ensuring people can play a meaningful role in shaping the future of their communities.

Participatory futures exercises - where members of a community are brought together to debate and design collective futures - should take place regularly at local, regional and national levels.

Democratic Innovation, Design Thinking, Foresight, Futures, Higher Education Policy, Innovation Policy, Participatory Futures, Public Engagement, Science Communication, Science, Technology & Society Studies

My TED journey started when I volunteered for a TEDMED event in London back in 2013. Five years later, when I first moved to Canberra, I joined the TEDxCanberra team as its Event Designer as a way to meet new friends while staying involved in the innovation space. I became the Licensee for TEDxCanberra in 2019 and held this role until 2024, when I took up a new role as Director (Corporate & Governance).