Dr Maggie Buxton

Speaker | Educator | Facilitator | Transdisciplinary Practitioner

Helping people think critically, act creatively, and engage thoughtfully with a rapidly changing world.

About Me

My work sits at the intersections of technology, creativity, community and change.

Over the past two decades, I have worked across diverse settings, from ecovillages in West Africa to Indigenous-led organisations in Aotearoa, public institutions, creative industries and community initiatives. These experiences have shaped a practice that is both practical and deeply curious about how people navigate uncertainty.

Today, much of my work focuses on helping individuals, organisations, and communities engage thoughtfully with emerging technologies, particularly artificial intelligence. Through speaking engagements, workshops, advisory projects and the Strange Intelligences Lab, I create opportunities for people to explore the social, cultural and practical implications of technological change.

At the heart of my work is a simple question: how do we remain thoughtful, creative and deeply human in a rapidly changing world?

In 2014, I founded AwhiWorld, a platform for exploring the intersections of creativity, technology, community and social change. Over the years, together with my partner Kim Newall, we engaged in a range of projects, working alongside not-for-profits, grassroots initiatives, artists, educators, researchers and cultural organisations in Aotearoa and beyond.

From this work, Strange Intelligences Lab has emerged as a growing area of focus. The Lab explores how people engage with emerging technologies, particularly artificial intelligence, while also asking broader questions about creativity, learning, culture, ecology and what it means to be human in a rapidly changing world.

Together, these initiatives create space for inquiry, experimentation and conversation. They bring people together to explore new possibilities, strengthen critical awareness and develop thoughtful responses to the challenges and opportunities of our time.

I hold a transdisciplinary PhD from AUT Colab exploring place, spirituality and emerging mobile technologies, an MSc in Organisational Development and Consulting from Sheffield Business School, and a BA in Politics and Education from the University of Auckland.

Education and learning have been a consistent thread throughout my career. Over the past two decades, I have worked in tertiary education as a lecturer, programme designer, examiner, supervisor, mentor and academic advisor, supporting learners, practitioners and emerging leaders across a range of disciplines, including recent work with Academy Ex.

This experience continues to inform my work as a speaker, facilitator and educator, helping individuals and organisations develop the skills, critical awareness and confidence needed to engage with a rapidly changing world.

Community involvement has been an important part of my work throughout my career. I have served on a range of boards, committees and advisory groups across the arts, youth, business and community sectors, and continue to support organisations through voluntary and pro bono contributions.

I co-founded the Creative Technology Northland Network to help strengthen connections across Northland’s creative and digital sectors. I remain actively engaged in professional, creative and research communities that explore the intersections of technology, learning, culture and social change.