Events

Experience the open learning approach. Join our in-house programme of walking tours and study trips.

Walk away with:

Connect theory to reality, see how Open Learning unlocks the skills and competences that accelerate change:

  • Transformative green skills
  • Green life skills
  • Sustainability competences

See how a live case study can serve as a springboard for knowledge & exchange. Practical examples offer new ways in to interrelated problems like:

  • Addressing fast changing regulations
  • Addressing skills and talent gaps
  • Informing and influencing policy

Connections between professionals from industry, advocacy, policy, education and community initiatives are deepened face to face:

  • unlock innovation and spark new ideas
  • hear how green skills agendas meet other real-world contexts
  • exchange and collaborate for systemic change
Group of people taking a guided tour in an industrial food production space

Autumn Edition: Scaling Change

Our learning events are opportunities to connect to the people and places making change and get a taster of how open and place-based learning can work.

We’re now rolling on our Autumn Edition! Keep an eye here and on our LinkedIn page to be the first to know when we go live 🚀

First Hand Autumn Edition: Scaling Change

Lunchtime Briefing

Introducing our OPEN WORKS field study (online, 45-min)

23 September 2025, 12:30-1:15

Nighttime activity at the wholesale market

First Hand: New Covent Garden Market

Food Systems Walking Tour

Collaboration and Leadership: a wholesale market experience

26 September 2025, 8:30-10:00 am

First Hand x Mission Kitchen

Open Learning Demo Day

Breakfast exchange and OPEN WORKS field study launch

26 September 2025, 10:00-12:15

First Hand: A Thames Tour of Climate Action Skills

Immersive Workshop

Roles and skills in urban systems

10 October 2025, 9:30-12:15

Image showing open and place-based learning projects

First Hand: Design Day

Half-day peer exchange

Creating new ways to learn from real places and projects

28 November 2025, 10:00-15:00

First Hand Autumn Edition: Scaling Change

Edition Wrap-up

A 45-min closing session to catch up or consolidate your learning

Future events

A group of wind turbines

First Hand: Systemic innovation in Orkney

Material Systems Study Trip

Community-led energy revolution in Orkney

This trip will only go ahead with at least 10 people

European city Seen-From-the-Forested-Natural-Park

First Hand: European Food Innovation Hub

Food Systems Study Trip

Transforming the food system in a European capital

This trip will only go ahead with at least 10 people

Stoke-on-Trent Potteries

First Hand: Materials Heritage in the Midlands

Material Systems Study Trip

Navigating systems in the birthplace of the industrial revolution

This trip will only go ahead with at least 10 people

Past events

First Hand: Neighbourhood Food Model

Food Systems Walking Tour

Collaboration & Leadership in Walworth’s high street

2 May 2025, 10 am-12 pm

First Hand: The Felix Project

Food Systems Walking Tour

Complexity & Creativity at Felix’s East London facility

4 April 2025, 9:30-11:30

First Hand: Fixing Factory Camden

Material Systems Walking Tour

Creativity & Collaboration at Camden’s Fixing Factory

20 March 2025, 12-1pm

First Hand Spring Edition: Prototyping Alternatives

Learning Debrief (Online)

A 45-min session to close our spring edition

7 May 2025, 12:35-1:30 pm

First Hand Spring Edition: Prototyping Alternatives

Skills Briefing (Online)

A 45-min primer for insights on our Spring Season curriculum

19 March 2025, 12:35-1:30 pm

The Only Way is Open Series

Lunchtime Briefings

Making the case for openness and collaboration to build skills and resilience

November 2024 – May 2025

Online

Sharing Event

Place-Based Learning: Benefits and Relevance of Getting Hands-On for Climate Action Skills

January 2024

Walking Tour

Food Systems

First Hand tour, volunteering session and skills workshop at The Felix Project Poplar Depot

November 2023

Walking Tour

Food Systems

First Hand tour and skills workshop at the Small Beer Brewery in Bermondsey

November 2023

Launch Event

Sharing Event & Workshop

Exploring Green Skills and Change at the Thames Tunnel with UCL Climate Action Unit

July 2024