Kirsty O’Connell is co-founder of the world’s leading research program targeting social licence, social risk management, social value and community engagement in the infrastructure and energy sectors. She has personally led engagement for more than $30B in infrastructure projects. Drawing on research developed over 8 years across $230B in infrastructure projects and with input from >7000 community members, Kirsty will explain why BAU social approaches will struggle to deliver the energy infrastructure that we need in time, or at a price we can afford. From the costs of community and stakeholder pressure, to the cumulative impact tipping point and the consultation fatigue myth, she will unpack some of the most compelling findings from the Australian National University’s flagship Next Generation Engagement Research Program. She will then invite participants to help build the case for a new approach to engagement and social practice - one that evidence suggests could support on time on budget delivery AND increase the community benefits of a once in a lifetime infrastructure investment.