The Problem
A sustainable future relies on transforming how we work: skills to navigate complexity, creativity to imagine the new and collaboration to realise it together are key.
While support for sustainability is growing across sectors and society, we’re stalling: missing the business commitment and skills to scale collective action. From supply chains disruption to resource scarcity to new regulations and skills gaps, urgent action is needed to mitigate and adapt to our new world.
Our response
First Hand leverages the learning potential of real-world environments.
First Hand has emerged from an in-depth systemic design process. In collaboration with learners, learning providers, community groups, local government, educational institutions, and industry we’ve developed a two-pronged approach, leveraging real world projects to build capability and the infrastructure for collective action.
See what that looks like on our Events page.
The Project Team
Dee Halligan, Director
Julia Bena, Programme Manager
Gabrielle Edwards PhD, Researcher in Residence
Dominik Webb, Digital Media Associate
Emily Tulloh, Research & Development Lead (Stage 1)
Viandira Athia, Research & Development Assistant (Stage 1)
Jane Packman, Operations Associate
Our Story
First Hand has emerged in part from the EU-funded LEVERS project, which advocates for learning ecosystems to build knowledge and skills to address locally significant climate challenges. We’re one of nine projects across Europe that take a systemic design approach to create climate justice projects and real-world learning experiences. This means the project has access to cutting edge knowledge and skills from academic and industry partners including UCL Climate Action Unit and Trinity College Dublin.
Behind First Hand is Forth, a non-profit creative studio connecting people with the ideas and skills needed in a changing world, where new and complex challenges for individuals, communities and societies require new approaches. We work through research, consultancy and self-initiated projects, creating formats, programmes and spaces for engagement and learning.
We’ve produced award winning work, like Fixperts and Maker Library Network, and worked with partners including the Royal Academy of Engineering, Google, the Design Museum, Nesta and Kingston University. Our most recent recognition includes the Sir Misha Black Award for Innovation in Design Education.
