Supporting a green and just transition for NHS Scotland

Exploratory Projects

This theme explores innovative ways to showcase green transition initiatives, proposing new approaches to healthcare leadership, staff training, and sustainability-driven design to achieve Net Zero targets

This theme includes projects that are more speculative in nature whilst exploring new and innovative ways of presenting successful green transition initiatives to the public, with a focus on creating proofof-concept demonstrators that validate such activities. The theme will propose paradigm shifts in the way we present to the public our successes as follows: the manner in which we manage leaders and train staff of the health and care sectors; the way we design solutions by harvesting the sustainability lessons provided by nature.  The projects in this theme will offer bespoke accelerated scenarios on the theme – “What future healthcare system do we want?”.

The theme will also address the necessary culture, structure and process changes that need to occur with NHS organisations in order to achieve Net Zero targets.

Events, News

News  •  20 May 2025
THEMES — Buildings and Land Care Communities Digital Design Exploratory Projects Products and Services Travel

SHIFT Documentation

Looking back at what was captured from our SHIFT symposium, which took place at Civic House, Glasgow on the 22 April 2025 – the people, the papers, the energy and the ideas.

News  •  19 May 2025
THEMES — Buildings and Land Care Communities Digital Design Exploratory Projects Products and Services Travel

Shifting Reflections

In this article, SHIFT symposium co-convenors Dr. Laura MacLean and Dr. Lewis Urquhart reflect on key learnings from the SHIFT symposium, and where it might go next.

Event  •  27 March – 13 June
THEMES — Buildings and Land Care Communities Digital Design Exploratory Projects Products and Services Travel

Work-in-Progress at the University of Strathclyde

Find out more
News  •  5 March 2025
THEMES — Buildings and Land Care Communities Digital Design Exploratory Projects Products and Services Travel

Work-in-Progress Exhibition Welcomes over 50,000 Visitors

Design HOPES showcased 17 projects at V&A Dundee, all happening as part of the Green Transition Ecosystem Hub programme, funded by the Arts and Humanities Research Council, through the Future Observatory.

News  •  20 December 2024
THEMES — Buildings and Land Care Communities Digital Design Exploratory Projects Products and Services Travel

‘Human health is inextricably linked to the health of the planet’

An interview with Prof. Paul Rodgers and Prof. Mel Woods, co-directors of Design HOPES, on Future Observatory

Event  •  5 December – 17 February
THEMES — Buildings and Land Care Communities Digital Design Exploratory Projects Products and Services Travel

V&A Dundee Exhibition

More about the Exhibition

A collaborative project, funded by the Arts and Humanities Research Council, as part of the Future Observatory programme, and led by the University of Strathclyde and University of Dundee (DJCAD), with Heriot-Watt University, Abertay University, and the University of Edinburgh, NHS Scotland, industry partners, and public sector stakeholders.

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