About Future Island-Island
Future Island-Island is a collaborative project led by Ulster University, with Queen’s University, The Glasgow School of Art, University of the Arts London. Our goal is to co-design innovation, facilitate best practice knowledge exchange and develop scalable models with real-world benefits.
Future Island-Island is one of four UK Green Transition Ecosystems and part of the flagship Future Observatory: Design the Green Transition programme, the Design Museum’s national research programme for the green transition. Funded by the Arts and Humanities Research Council.
Funded by the Arts and Humanities Research Council.
Future Observatory is the Design Museum’s national research programme, established in partnership with the UKRI Arts & Humanities Research Council (AHRC).
Project Overview
Future Island-Island is one of four AHRC-funded Green Transition Ecosystems exploring how design-led research can support environmental transition in practice.
Working with Rathlin Island as both collaborator and teacher, the project brings together communities, researchers and creative practitioners to explore new approaches to waste, heritage, tourism and the reimagining heritage sites. From circular materials and digital heritage to adaptive reuse and creative education, the work develops practical responses shaped by the realities of island life.
Connecting partners across Northern Ireland, Ireland, Scotland and the Nordic corridor, the project builds shared knowledge around how remote and coastal communities can adapt to environmental, economic and social change.
Funded by the Arts and Humanities Research Council as part of the Future Observatory programme at the Design Museum. (AH/Y003780/1).
Public Research Outputs
PURE is the research information platform used by universities to share publications, projects and public research outputs. As lead institution for Future Island-Island, Ulster University hosts a growing collection of project research alongside contributions from Queen’s University Belfast and other collaborating partners through the links below.
Green Transition Ecosystems
Green Transition Ecosystems (GTEs) integrate arts, humanities, and material innovation across multidisciplinary fields related to net zero and the green transition. Four national projects have been funded, including Future Island-Island.
Explore the other GTEs.
Design HOPES
Design HOPES explores how design-led research can support healthier, more sustainable approaches to health and social care across Scotland. Bringing together universities, NHS Scotland and community partners, the project develops practical responses to climate, wellbeing and care through collaboration, creative practice and public engagement.
Public Map Platform
Rooted in Ynys Môn (Anglesey), Public Map Platform explores how mapping, storytelling and local knowledge can help communities respond to environmental change. Combining digital tools with community participation, the project supports new ways of understanding place, landscape and heritage while helping inform planning and more sustainable futures.
Transforming Housing and Homes for Future Generations
Transforming Housing and Homes for Future Generations explores how existing housing can be adapted for low-carbon, healthy living. Working with residents, local authorities and industry partners, the project develops practical approaches to retrofit, materials and home design that support more sustainable futures and resilient communities.
