Founder, Forth and First Hand
I run a kind of mini-R&D lab where we develop engagement and learning projects.
Forth: A non-profit creative studio built by researchers, designers and educators. Forth is exploring and shaping new models, formats and programmes for engagement and learning in a changing world. We’re testing ideas in high streets, schools, factories, neighbourhoods — anywhere that people come together.
Our mission is to engage people with the ideas and skills they need in a changing world, and our approach is broadly ‘Open Learning’ so the projects are exploratory and varied, from a kids summer camp (an invitation to ‘Fix the World‘) to a current programme of walking tours and field trips (using industrial sites as classrooms).
We’ve worked with industry, universities & schools, sector and community organisations to develop anything from engagement strategies to teacher training, combining self-initiated projects with funded research and consultancy. Recently we’ve been beneficiaries of UKRI and Horizon funding. We value collaboration and take it seriously – both in our own practise and in the experiential, place-based and hands-on learning experiences and strategies we create.
My early career revolved around producing exhibitions, visitor experience strategies, masterplans and engagement propositions of all kinds for museums mainly – Science Museum, Design Museum, V&A, National Trust – though I’ve done my share of work for commercial brands before deciding 15 years ago to centre my work around social and environmental sustainability.
I’m currently focused on building First Hand, an events led climate learning platform.
– unlocking future skills today.
Experiential learning in factories, farms and markets to develop the skills to respond to a changing world. A platform to connect to the ideas, people and organisations we can learn from. No business can achieve their sustainability goals in isolation. Join us.
