Imagine an economy designed to meet the needs of people and planet, not the other way around
Katherine Trebeck is a political economist, writer and advocate for economic system change.
Her roles include writer-at-large at the University of Edinburgh, Economic Change Lead at The Next Economy, and a Strategic Advisor for the Centre for Policy Development. She co-founded the Wellbeing Economy Alliance (WEAll) and also WEAll Scotland, its Scottish hub, and she instigated the group of Wellbeing Economy Governments (WEGo).
She is a member of the Club of Rome and her board roles have included a range of groups such as Hands Across Canberra, Denmark’s Wellbeing Economy Lab, the Centre for Understanding Sustainable Prosperity in the UK, and The Democracy Collaborative in the US. She is 2024 thinker-in-residence at the Australian Health Promotion Association, was 2023 thinker-in-residence at ANU’s Planetary Health Hothouse, and is a New Economics Senior Fellow at the ZOE Institute.
Katherine has Bachelor Degrees in Economics and in Politics (University of Melbourne) and holds a PhD in Political Science from the Australian National University. She worked for the University of Glasgow as a Research Fellow from 2005-2009 and was Honorary Professor at the University of the West of Scotland and Senior Visiting Research Fellow at the University of Strathclyde.
Her book The Economics of Arrival: Ideas for a Grown Up Economy (co-authored with Jeremy Williams and published by Policy Press) was published in January 2019 and her major report Being Bold: Budgeting for Children’s Wellbeing was launched in March 2021. A documentary telling the story of Katherine’s instigation of WEGo premiered in 2024.
Talking Points
Introduction to a wellbeing economy
This talk will explain the why and what of the wellbeing economy agenda for audiences new to the theme. It will include case studies and examples of policy changes that show it being built in a variety of contexts
Introduction to a wellbeing economy
How change happens
This talk will explore the complex nature of change, from a policy, societal, and economic perspective. A combination of theories and lived experience will be shared, with implications for change agents working at various points in a system explored
How change happens
Policy making for a wellbeing economy
This talk will lay out some of the key shifts government need to explore to play their role in building a wellbeing economy. It will share evidence from a global scan of what works and what various levels of government around the world are doing to deliver it.
Policy making for a wellbeing economy
Following your feet to where your heart is
This talk is a personal reflection on charting a course in life aligned with your passion and values. It will explore how to notice key moments where a shift is calling, and how to follow your gut.
Following your feet to where your heart is
Video
Why the Future Economy has to be a Wellbeing Economy | Katherine Trebeck | TEDxMünchen
Katherine is the Policy and Knowledge Lead for the Wellbeing Economy Alliance. She has over eight years’ experience in various roles with Oxfam GB - as a Senior Researcher for the Global Research Team, UK Policy Manager, and Research and Policy Advisor for Oxfam Scotland. Katherine instigated the group of Wellbeing Economy Governments; developed Oxfam's Humankind Index; and led Oxfam's work on a 'human economy'. She was Rapporteur for Club de Madrid's Working Group on Shared Societies and Sustainability and sits on a range of advisory groups, including the Centre for Understanding Sustainable Prosperity and the Omina Foundation. Katherine is Honorary Professor at the University of the West of Scotland and Senior Visiting Research Fellow at the University of Strathclyde. Her most recent book, The Economics of Arrival: Ideas for a Grown Up Economy (co-authored with Jeremy Williams), was published in January 2019.A wellbeing economy:social justice on a healthy planet
What do people and planet really need from the economy? Is the quality of life undermined by the drive for economic growth at all costs? In this provocative talk, Trebeck describes a new challenge: a move from expansion to inclusion. Katherine Trebeck, political economist, writer and advocate for economic system change; Co-founder Wellbeing Economy Alliance.Building an Economy of Wellbeing
We have followed Katherine's work for some time, and in 2024 invited her to be one of our two keynote speakers in our programme at “Folkemødet”, Denmark's biggest political festival. She spo ... keep reading KR Foundation
Katherine counts amongst the best communicators about a new economy. Her approach is accessible, informative and compelling. She gave an inspiring keynote at our conference and people were still raving about it months later.
Katherine has an exceptional ability to communicate complex concepts in a way that is readily understandable, and exciting, to nonexperts. Her ability to talk about difficult economic issues is extraordinary. Her knowledgeable, warm style brings everyone along with her. She helps the audience challenge outdated ideas and ways of thinking in an enjoyable way that offers hope that the world can change for the better.
In working with Katherine Trebeck at Oxfam and the Wellbeing Economy Alliance, I witnessed her provide countless 'lightbulb moments' for those who heard her speak. She makes insightful connections, challenges stale thinking, and pushes boundaries - all with powerful storytelling and gentle humour. Her bold ideas and endlessly quotable metaphors will get any audience thinking and keep any group talking.
