We specialise in upskilling public-purpose organisations, designers, researchers and changemakers. Through training, coaching and mentoring, we’ve supported:

  • a community services provider to develop an innovative pilot addressing homelessness caused by family violence

  • a health research team to plan new vaccination service delivery with and for young people with intellectual disability 

  • a social enterprise to respectfully engage First Nations employees and health workers around the country to co-create digital products and campaigns 

  • public servants to lead and facilitate innovative employment projects with businesses and industry groups

  • a primary school to build the capacity of diverse parents to engage and represent community members in educational review and planning processes

  • a regional university to upskill hundreds of staff to design and deliver transformative teaching and learning policies and practices

  • a systems researcher to engage partners in exploring the implications of new technologies in the building and construction industry

  • a health ministry to commission compassionate support for people experiencing distress

Client testimonials (coaching & mentoring)

  • “Emma’s warm coaching style of mentorship and willingness to share her vast co-design expertise has really supported my development personally and professionally. I couldn’t recommend Emma’s mentorship sessions or courses more to those looking to develop their co-design practice.”

    Laura Griffin, consumer engagement and co-design manager, Agency for Clinical Innovation

  • “The sessions have been great—I have learnt a lot and feel far more confident about doing co-design 12 months on. Thank you for giving us the confidence to make a start and to learn through doing!”

    Lexie Young, lecturer, Kirby Institute, UNSW

  • “Emma Blomkamp’s mentoring met me where I was at in my learning, and our gently curious conversations helped me stay aligned with the principles of co-design while encouraging me to experiment with new techniques. Emma’s conceptual clarity, practical knowledge, and broad networks have been a brilliant resource for my co-design practice... and expanded my approach as a leader and facilitator.”

    Emma Constantine, head of innovation and new business, McAuley Community Services for Women

  • “Emma’s validation and support built confidence for us to step up and take greater risks with our practice... Emma’s ability to create a safe space allows us to deeply commit to co-design with vulnerability to learn and apply new tools.”

    Laura Fairbrother and Amanda Martin, co-design leaders, education strategy, Charles Darwin University

  • “I really benefitted from your insights regarding what might and might not work in this project. The resources that you sent through have been much appreciated because they allow me to ground our conversation in literature and provide me with something to share back with my team. I have learned new tools and techniques for facilitating Discovery and Ideation.”

    Shani Rajendra, consultant, Clear Horizon

  • “I loved the way you created a container for this project and gave it form. Without you I would have felt really overwhelmed! I’ve really liked how you work with what you have in front of you, without a sense that things should be another way…. You’ve been really responsive and addressed everything I’ve been unsure about thoroughly.”

    Zenaida Beatson, director and designer, For Purpose

Participant testimonials (training courses)

  • “Emma modelled a humane, informed, responsible, ethical mode of working with communities and welcoming the involvement of very different people, whilst safeguarding the group against power dynamics rooted in injustice.”

    Kate Genevieve, independent contractor

  • “Highlight of my professional career! Emma is a fantastic and thoughtful curator and facilitator and renewed my passion for participatory design. She expertly stepped us through a program of key concepts underpinning co-design and created a warm and welcoming space where I met and befriended others in the field. Absolutely loved the experience. Would recommend (and have already recommended) to anyone interested in working in participatory and ethical ways.”

    Charlotte McCombe, design researcher

  • “This program was nothing short of amazing … The training is interactive, Emma is a spectacular trainer who is extremely engaging, and the content has been spot-on.”

    Department of Employment and Workforce Relations employee

  • “Co-Design Practitioners offers a beautifully curated and facilitated mix of practice-based learning and reflection opportunities with a group of like-minded peers working across a diverse range of fields and settings. One of the biggest learning opportunities is getting to experience Emma actively modelling co-design principles in all aspects of how the program is delivered. The course strikes a fine balance of being intellectually rigorous yet accessible in terms of how content is delivered. I feel a renewed enthusiasm for the work and I’m already seeing tangible improvements to my own practice.”

    Carrie Lumby, inaugural director, lived experience, National Mental Health Commission

  • “Emma has created a course that blends theory with practice, providing the space for conversation and connection with fellow participants along with opportunities for deeper, self-directed learning in areas of particular interest. The resource library is so extensive! Highly recommend to anyone who is looking to grow their knowledge and skills in co-design.”

    Sandie Pullen, manager, innovation, design and communications

  • “This course is thoughtfully designed and beautifully facilitated, to create a community of practitioners and take them on a journey to deepen their practice. Emma leverages the principles of adult learning to guide participants, and provides instruction, resources and reflective practices to help embed new knowledge. The whole course structure, including peer coaching and coaching with Emma, feels like a wraparound support — this is so beneficial to growing your networks, and building your confidence!”

    Ruth Toomey, director - design, learning and capability, Queensland Government

  • “​​As an emerging co-design practitioner, I found Emma's training invaluable to refining my practice. I have already had the opportunity to incorporate some of the practical methods I learned through Emma's training in practice and have had very positive feedback from both the stakeholders and participants. Emma is so attentive, generous and reflective in the way she facilitates, and her impact on the world of co-design is an inspiration.”

    Nita Childs, design strategist and consultant

  • “The immersive co-design learning sessions helped me gain clarity around what co-design is and how it can be authentically adapted in my organization. The session was designed to allow us to learn by doing, to be comfortable in the grey, and experience and appreciate the co-design mindset and principles at the very onset. I had more lightbulb moments being in the session than reading articles, books, and case studies on my own.”

    Cecile Recto, advisor, strategy and quality

  • “Highly recommended training—I am still connected to the people I met doing this course a few years ago. Even though I do not have a design background, I found the course to be engaging, relevant and vital for projects undertaken since completion. Emma Blomkamp is an exceptional facilitator and researcher who brings this practice to life.”

    Liz Asser, lived experience consultant

  • “I would definitely recommend the Co-Design in Complex Systems course. It provides a profound learning experience that delves into case studies that really help illustrate how and where to leverage impact…. I loved that it was very systematic but provided flexibility to make it fit each co-design context.”

    Kataya Barrett, community partnerships facilitator, Jagun Alliance Aboriginal Corporation

  • “If you’re keen to level up your co-design practice, then look no further. Emma embraces an inclusive view of co-design: think communities, collaborations, or collectives learning and creating together. Three things that I love about the training I’ve done with Emma: Small groups of passionate and curious participants. Content and activities that honour what you already know, what you’d like to learn, and how you plan to apply it. Expert facilitation that makes the online sessions feel spacious and tailored”

    Tiffany Williams, public health practitioner and researcher

Recent partners

We’re proud to partner with purpose-driven organisations creating change in Australia, Aotearoa, and around the world.