Matthew B
- Research Program Mentor
PhD candidate at Dalhousie University
Expertise
Graphic design, data science, sustainability, participatory design, information design, sound design, film making, photography, creative writing, user experience design
Bio
Matthew Bejtlich is an educator, entrepreneur, and artist with a background in ecology, storytelling, data science, and systems thinking. He helps students explore new ways of learning, creating, and leading change—drawing from regenerative design and creative practice to make complex ideas engaging and actionable. Matthew teaches part-time at the Rhode Island School of Design (RISD), Northeastern University, and Dalhousie University, where his courses invite students to think critically, creatively, and holistically. He is especially passionate about supporting students from all backgrounds who want to work across art, design, and science to make a lasting impact in their communities and for the planet. As a mentor, he supports students across arts & media, social impact, education, science, and entrepreneurship—guiding them in turning their passions into meaningful, real-world projects. Students accepted with scholarships to UPenn, USC, Parsons & more 5+ years of university teaching across RISD, Northeastern, Brown, and Curry College Mentored 30+ students 1-on-1 AI Fellow, Transformations Community Co-founder, Unfolding Aliveness Featured in Harper’s Bazaar, London Fashion Week, Apple Music, and WWD MSc in Data Science, Brown University MFA in Graphic Design, Rhode Island School of Design Expert in the Following Areas: - Arts & Media, Design, Storytelling - Sustainability and Social Impact - Business and entrepreneurship - Research and Education At the heart of Matthew’s work is a commitment to planetary health, justice, and sustainability. His projects explore how we might cultivate deeper connections with each other and nature, and design systems that support ecological integrity and collective well-being. He is especially drawn to sound and artistic practices that help us listen more closely to the places we live—revealing the often-overlooked relationships that shape our shared future. He is currently pursuing a PhD in Management at Dalhousie University in Canada, exploring how we can build more just and regenerative business enterprises. Matthew is also an AI Fellow at the Transformations Community and has participated in global networks like ETH Zurich’s Designing Resilient Regenerative Systems group, TBA21–Academy’s Ocean/UNI, and the Yale Forest Forum. In 2024, he co-founded Unfolding Aliveness, a studio and online educational platform exploring storytelling and multispecies justice through sound, place, and field recording. He was mentored in sound design and music production by Bradley Zero, founder of London-based Rhythm Section International and DJ at NTS and BBC Radio. On the side, he makes music, visual art, and photographs. He also loves movement and the outdoors—you’ll often find him playing tennis, running, doing yoga, hiking, or sailing. He is fluent in English.Project ideas
Sustainability and Impact — Food Sovereignty Initiative
Explore how food justice, climate resilience, and community empowerment intersect by designing a neighborhood-scale food sovereignty project in partnership with a local farm, garden, or mutual aid network. Students will investigate the root causes of food insecurity and research urban agriculture models, while building core skills in community storytelling, participatory design, and environmental systems thinking. Over the 10 sessions, students will create a small-scale but high-impact prototype—such as a multilingual public awareness campaign, a seed-saving guide rooted in cultural traditions, or a youth-centered harvest event concept—that can be tested or shared locally. Students will also explore one aspect of ecological repair, such as composting, biochar, or fungi-based soil health strategies, tailored to urban environments. With guided support, they’ll gather information through interviews, site visits (virtual or local), and mapping tools, and use that research to develop a clear project outcome with measurable goals. The project encourages place-based learning and practical creativity—designed to be achievable, inspiring, and grounded in real community needs. Potential Outcomes: Seed-saving zine or guide, poster series, soil restoration toolkit, event pitch deck, food justice map, short video story, impact proposal for local grants.
Business — Rethinking Retail: A Circular Supply Chain Model for Zero-Waste Groceries
Explore how circular economy principles can transform the grocery sector by designing a research-based model for a zero-waste food and household goods store. This project will examine how packaging, logistics, and sourcing can shift from linear to circular systems, with a focus on refillable containers, bulk purchasing, and regionally rooted supply chains. Students will conduct case study analysis of existing zero-waste models (e.g. Loop, Precycle, or local cooperatives), assess life cycle impacts of common packaging methods, and explore partnerships with regenerative farms and producers. Through interviews, secondary research, and basic modeling tools, students will map out a prototype supply chain for a hypothetical store or product line, with attention to environmental, economic, and social metrics. The final paper will include both a literature review and an original systems diagram or strategy proposal, offering actionable insights for circular grocery innovation in a specific community or bioregion. Potential Outcomes: Research paper with systems map, circular supply chain strategy brief.
Arts & Media — Voices of the Living Earth
Create a multi-format storytelling project that explores the changing soundscapes and visual rhythms of biodiversity—making space for the voices of species, habitats, and ecosystems in flux. Rather than focusing solely on extinction or loss, this project invites students to engage in storytelling with nature—as a creative partner and living presence. What does biodiversity feel, sound, and look like when we slow down, pay attention, and co-create across species and mediums? Students may explore one or more expressive forms—such as archival recordings, local interviews, photography, data visualization, or ecological art—to craft a creative work rooted in place and relationship. With flexible outputs and guided support, they’ll conduct original research (field-based or digital), experiment with media that resonates with them, and build a final project that fosters ecological memory, reciprocity, and connection. Potential Outcomes: Photo essay, poetry, podcast episode, short film, interactive sound map, ecological zine, infographic series, soundwalk, data-driven art piece, or multimedia exhibition proposal.
Education – Regenerative Water Literacy for Youth
In this project, students will design an educational initiative that teaches youth how to understand, care for, and regenerate local water systems. Drawing from topics like rainwater harvesting, greywater reuse, watershed health, and climate resilience, students will learn how to translate systems thinking into engaging and age-appropriate activities. They'll explore how water flows through both natural and built environments and how everyday choices impact water quality and access. Students will gather information through environmental research, interviews with educators or water experts, and analysis of existing curriculum models. They’ll learn how to create lesson plans, workshop activities, and facilitator resources that are grounded in local context and adaptable across communities. The final product will be a shareable educational resource designed to spark water literacy and ecological awareness in schools, community centers, or youth programs. Potential Outcomes: Research paper, curriculum guide, educator toolkit, interactive lesson plan series, watershed mapping activity set, digital resource hub, school partnership proposal, eco-education zine.
