What we do
We are a team of design researchers who help enable collaboration in complex knowledge‑sharing and learning situations. Using creative methods, we facilitate action through playful and transformative experiences.
Working in multi-actor, inter- and trans-disciplinary, and inter-cultural collaborative contexts can be challenging. We support people as they navigate collaboration across different dynamics and system scales.
We believe open exchange between research and practice is essential for making tactical and practical contributions to collaborative work.
Experience and expertise
These are the industries, sectors and areas we work across:
- Circular economy.
- Healthcare.
- Education and skills.
- Equitable transitions (food, materials, climate, environment).
- Community practice and place-making.
- Technology and innovation.
- Metascience and methodology.
Our work
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Abundance workshop | Illustration: Palak Garg
Abundance
Project summary:
Enhancing cultural and green inclusion in social prescribing in Southwest London to address ethnic inequalities in mental health.
Our role:
We designed and delivered community co-design workshops to elaborate 5 community-based interventions. -
Herewear - Bio-based local sustainable circular wear
Herewear
Project summary:
Empowering bio-based, local and circular textile economies in Europe through systemic (social, business and material) innovation.
Our role:
We designed and delivered a systemic materials innovation methodology to underpin collaboration between researchers and communities across Europe. -
Top up truck
Top up truck
Project summary:
Exploring barriers and enablers to refill service use through user-centred research.
Our role:
We designed and delivered co-design engagements with current and potential users to provide insights for service improvement. -
Design Council - Design for planet
Skills for planet
Project summary:
Design Council initiative to upskill 1 million designers and commissioners in green design skills by 2030.
Our role:
We brought together design academics and practitioners to develop learning prototypes to address the UK’s green design skills gap.
Listen to our podcast
Our podcast Carnival at the Boundaries showcases collaborative practice tactics and methods. We invite researchers and practitioners to discuss aspects of their approach to complex collaborations and then unpack key themes.
Services we offer
Consultancy
Enabling growth
We can:
- help build shared understandings across a partner network
- enhance collaboration in your team
- expand the creative and collaborative capacities in your organisation
- facilitate complex collaborative processes.
Research partnerships
Support and delivery
We can:
- help you articulate collaborative approaches in funding bids
- facilitate sandpit design and delivery for partnerships between industry and academia
- run a project launchpad to get a collaboration up and running.
Skills development
Courses and bespoke training
- An introduction to systemic collaboration (2 hours online)
- Collaborative organisations: supporting collaboration within academia, government and industry.
- Doctoral training and partnership-building for emerging researchers.
Hub members
Co-directors
- Rosie Hornbuckle, Reader in Design, UAL
- Niki Wallace, Reader Designate, UAL
Associate members
- Laura Knight, Course Leader, MA Communicating Complexity, Central Saint Martins
- Mike Kann - Senior Lecturer, BA Product and Furniture Design, Chelsea College of Arts
- Laetitia Forst, Post-Doctoral Research Fellow, Chelsea College of Arts
- Seher Mirza, Post-Doctoral Research Fellow, London College of Fashion