Project Overview
Future Island–Island began in 2023 as one of four UK-wide Green Transition Ecosystems funded by the Arts and Humanities Research Council (AHRC). Led by Ulster University in partnership with Queen’s University Belfast, University of Arts London and Glasgow School of Art, alongside a growing network of community, industry and cultural partners, the project explores how design-led research can support greener, more resilient futures for island and coastal communities.
Building Foundations
2023 – 2025 focused on building relationships, establishing co-design methods and developing practical demonstrators across materials, digital heritage, education and policy. Working closely with Rathlin Island residents and the Rathlin Development & Community Association (RDCA), the project developed new approaches to circular design, immersive storytelling, sustainable tourism and community-led environmental action.
Phase One received £4.1 million in AHRC funding and helped leverage an additional £9.29 million through related research grants, partnerships, scholarships and infrastructure investment.
Scaling through Themes
Phase Two proposes a further £2.5 million in AHRC investment, alongside additional in-kind and leveraged support across the partnership network. Running from 2025–2028, this phase builds on earlier research through three interconnected themes focused on material innovation, digital storytelling and community-led regeneration.
DREAM develops circular approaches to waste, wool and ocean plastics, working towards a ‘Waste-Free Island’ strategy for Rathlin. GREENLINK expands immersive digital heritage, AR/VR experiences and environmental learning across island and coastal communities. THE EAST LIGHT explores the adaptive reuse of Rathlin’s East Lighthouse as a creative and sustainable community hub supporting enterprise, residencies, education and knowledge exchange.
Together, these themes move the project from early-stage experimentation towards longer-term infrastructure, partnerships and scalable models for environmental transition.