OUR WORK
An investigation into design, regenerative practices and entrepreneurship
Becoming Regenerative (B-Regen) is an AHRC/ESRC UKRI-funded investigation into how innovative regenerative ideas emerge, evolve and gain traction within entrepreneurial contexts. The project also addresses the broader question of how the regenerative paradigm, applied in art and design education, can influence and shape the emerging landscape of regenerative innovation.
Conducted by a multidisciplinary team of design researchers, designers, biologists, anthropologists, social scientists and organisational scholars, this project brings together Loughborough University London (LUL), the Royal College of Art (RCA) and University College London (UCL).
As a team, we combine evidence-based approaches with imaginative methodologies that challenge conventional paradigms. Drawing on empirical research, design research and speculative rigour, B-Regen will illuminate the intricate processes of regenerative innovation.
By following creative regenerative entrepreneurs, our mission is to explore how design can catalyse radical regenerative practices, ways of being, imaginaries and envision new economic systems.
The research carefully unpacks the real-world journeys of global creators and entrepreneurs – from initial sparks of inspiration to implementation and impact – as they push the boundaries of regenerative innovation through entangled relationships and caring eco-social practices.
OUR IMPACT
Illuminating the intricate processes of regenerative innovation and creative entrepreneurship
By showcasing pioneering examples that engage in thoughtful ways of thinking, caring, relating and making based on a strong sense of inhabiting a shared world while tackling systemic challenges, we aim to generate the most comprehensive global account of how regenerative innovations emerge. Particularly, in the context of art and design schools, as well as the creative sector.
From this, we hope to co-create a more supportive environment for regenerative initiatives, culminating in a set of policy-making recommendations.
We are starting a critical yet hopeful and nuanced conversation about how we can collectively reimagine a regenerative approach towards design practices, entrepreneurship and policy.
THE TEAM
Our multidisciplinary team of design researchers, designers, biologists, anthropologists, social scientists and organisational scholars
DR TUUKKA TOIVONEN
Principal Investigator
DR DELFINA FANTINI
VAN DITMAR
Co-Investigator
DR ONYAGLANU IDOKO
Co-Investigator
DR IDA TELALBASIC
Co-Investigator
DR KATIE PFEIFFER
Post-Doctoral Researcher
HANNAH LYONS TSAI
Research Project Manager
DR YUKI YUAN
Post-Doctoral Researcher
OUR ADVISORS
Becoming Regenerative is supported by a growing and diverse board of advisors
PROF. ELVIN KARANA
Materials Experience Lab,
TU Delft
SAMANTHA G.R. JENKINS
Natural History Museum,
Imperial College London, Biohm
PROF. CAROLE COLLET
Maison/0, Central Saint Martins
PROF. SAMPSA HYYSALO
School of Design,
Aalto University
PROF. YASUAKI KAKEHI
Tokyo University
PROF. RENÉ BOHNSACK
Catolica Lisbon
PARTNER ORGANISATIONS
Becoming Regenerative is supported by
