{"id":173910,"date":"2025-09-12T10:53:09","date_gmt":"2025-09-12T09:53:09","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/beta-ukri.msappproxy.net\/?p=173910"},"modified":"2025-09-12T10:53:09","modified_gmt":"2025-09-12T09:53:09","slug":"how-ahrcs-investments-will-help-to-design-a-greener-tomorrow","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.ukri.org\/blog\/how-ahrcs-investments-will-help-to-design-a-greener-tomorrow\/","title":{"rendered":"How AHRC\u2019s investments will help to design a greener tomorrow"},"content":{"rendered":"

Earlier this week I along with other colleagues from across the Arts and Humanities Research Council (AHRC) spent two inspiring days at World Design Congress<\/a>, which this year was hosted by the Design Council in London.<\/p>\n

Uniting under the Design Council\u2019s flagship \u2018Design for Planet\u2019 theme<\/a>, World Design Congress demonstrated the different ways design can be harnessed as a key industry in addressing the climate crisis and the move to net zero.<\/p>\n

The event attracted designers, business leaders, policymakers, educators and researchers from all over the globe to explore a range of powerful themes designed to inspire, challenge and mobilise for action.<\/p>\n

Design’s role in net zero<\/h2>\n

With speakers ranging from musician and activist Brian Eno to Earthshot Prize winner Charlot Magayi, the event illustrated the central role design plays and needs to play in addressing challenges and opportunities including the green transition and net zero.<\/p>\n

\"Justin

Justin McGuirk, Chief curator at the Design Museum talking at the World Design Congress. Credit: Katherine Mansfield.<\/p><\/div>\n

This is emphasised by the Design Council\u2019s mission<\/a> to upskill one million designers for the green transition.<\/p>\n

In his closing address to Congress, Minister Ian Murray, summed up the message of all the speakers by addressing the importance of design in shaping the future.<\/p>\n

This is why AHRC remains committed to investing in design research around the theme of net zero.<\/p>\n

Showcase of green transition ecosystems<\/h2>\n

The World Design Congress culminated in the annual World Design Congress President’s drinks reception hosted at the Design Museum to coincide with the opening of the Future Observatory: Tools for Transition exhibition<\/a>.<\/p>\n

This exhibition showcases the work of the four Green Transition Ecosystems (GTE) funded as part of AHRC\u2019s Future Observatory: Design the Green Transition programme<\/a>.<\/p>\n

The year-long exhibition highlights how designers are responding to climate change through ongoing research, rather than finished products, and emphasises the crucial role of design in the green transition.<\/p>\n

AHRC committed to second phase funding<\/h2>\n

During the event, AHRC\u2019s Executive Chair, Christopher Smith, and Future Observatory Director, Justin McGuirk, announced that AHRC has committed to funding a second phase of the programme to run from October 2025 to March 2028.<\/p>\n

\"AHRC\u2019s

AHRC\u2019s Executive Chair, Christopher Smith talking at the World Design Congress. Credit: Katherine Mansfield.<\/p><\/div>\n

The second phase of the programme, supported by a \u00a334 million investment, will continue to support growth and the UK\u2019s transition to net zero through the scaling up of design interventions and engaging diverse public audiences with the power of design through our flagship partnership with the Design Museum.<\/p>\n

In the second phase, Future Observatory will continue to act as both a coordination hub for the nationwide programme, as well as a research department within the museum.<\/p>\n

It will continue to redefine what a museum can be, a place not solely focused on the past or the present but one that can help shape the future.<\/p>\n

In phase one Future Observatory has delivered a programme of exhibitions, displays, residencies, events and publications, including a dedicated Future Observatory Gallery at the museum.<\/p>\n

As the UK\u2019s first design research and innovation engagement centre, Future Observatory also directly supports and funds multidisciplinary, multi-scale design research.<\/p>\n

This includes:<\/p>\n