Our Utopia Labs are ‘no-spaces’, places where everyone is welcome to join us in dreaming futures that inspire our experience of the present. The term utopia was coined from Greek by Sir Thomas More for his 1516 book

Utopia, describing a fictional island society in the Atlantic Ocean.  The word comes from Greek: οὐ (“not”) and τόπος (“place”) and means “no-place”, and strictly describes any non-existent society ‘described in considerable detail’.

In this session invited speakers will present visions of their Utopia, which we will (individually or in groups, as preferred) respond to by creating our own artistic and creative mini-Utopias. We will consider what Utopia means and how it could be a useful crucible in which to explore positive change. 

• 11am-12pm: Introductions and Presentations 
• 12pm-1pm: Lunch and Dreaming/Making 
• 1pm-2pm: Sharing  Lunch and materials for creating will be provided. The lab will also include meditation, poetry reading/listening and simple movement and breathing exercises. All body types and levels of experience welcome. 

Utopia is a ‘no-space’ for contemplation, innovation and collaboration. Our labs curate interactions between academics, artists, entrepreneurs, students and audiences in person and online globally. We are interested in that which is provocative and irreverent as well as that which is nurturing and joyful. Utopia questions are catalysts for inquiry, learning and creativity. With an emphasis on innovative and experimental ways of communicating, we will explore meditation, dialogue and co-creation with the help of a facilitator. Participants consist of University staff and students, and non-University practitioners. 

Important Notice: This event may be photographed and/or recorded for promotional or recruitment materials for the University and University approved third parties. For further information please contact the organisers.

Image credit: Andrew Perry