Future Island-Island
Green Transition Ecosystems Future Island-Island research project on Rathlin Island, Northern Ireland. Shaping a greener future through design.
Funded by the Arts, Humanities and Research Council, this research project aims to to develop an eco-friendly waste management culture in Northern Ireland and advances our digital sustainability for NetZero gains. Design has the creative power to speculate, co-create and iterate, producing an abundance of ideas, and at the same time be pragmatic and logical towards effective solutions. The multi-d
19/06/2024
Agents of Change on a mission: A day of sun, fun, and green learning ☀️🏐♻️
67 pupils from Armoy Primary School, Ballycastle Integrated Primary School, and St Mary's Primary, Rathlin had a blast on a biodiversity trip to Glenmona House, Cushendun.
Following their workshops with Architects of Change as part of FII (WP4), the kids heard from National Trust Ranger Ruth Linton and took part in games that put their new understanding of environmental impacts into action.
Guided by Liz Farnan, Environmental Facilitator, they investigated a Bird-er Mystery that encouraged them to consider their impact on animals in local environments and to be mindful of our native wildlife and surroundings. They also played a sea-themed parachute game that drew attention to the issue of plastic pollution and the harm it causes our oceans and marine creatures.
Our future is in good hands with these eco-minded leaders of tomorrow.
WP4: Designing Sustainable Futures Education
Arts and Humanities Research Council - AHRC | Design Museum | Ulster University | Rathlin Development & Community Association
06/06/2024
🚀Just wrapped up an incredible 1.5-day Future Island-Island 'Strengthening the GTE' workshop at Ulster University, ! 🚀
What an incredible experience bringing together a diverse group of professionals under one roof. We had creatives, ecologists, engineers, architects, and artists - to name a few - all brimming with innovative ideas and collaborative spirit.
The workshop is part of Future Island-Island's Work Package 3, Organic Waste Ecosystems, which looks at restoring and redesigning a circular system economy in coastal communities.
It was inspiring to witness the melting pot of expertise and creativity in action. The wide range of perspectives and solutions that emerged from our discussions was a clear testament to the energy and passion that everyone brought to the table, making it a truly fruitful experience.
A huge thank you to everyone who participated and contributed their unique insights. Your collaboration is key to driving forward the goals of this project, and together, we can achieve great things.
We look forward to developing stronger connections with and other remote communities as the project progresses.
Stay connected, keep sharing your ideas, and let's continue to strengthen the !
Feel free to reach out if you want to know more about our initiatives or join us on this exciting journey!
🌟👩🔬👨🎨👩💻👨🔧👩🌾👨🔬🌟
📸 Aidan O'Neill, UU
Arts and Humanities Research Council - AHRC | Design Museum | Ulster University | Queen's University Belfast
What an incredible time at the Rathlin Sound Festival! 🌊
The energy, community, and activities were amazing, and we're delighted to have been involved with our Future Island-Island events.
Here's a glimpse into our experience last week:
🔸️The Big Rathlin Beach Clean🔸️
We kicked off our activities with the Big Rathlin Beach Clean, learning about the impact of marine litter on our beach environments and how waste can be transformed into new materials. Using our guide created by Bigsmall Design Limited, we identified and categorised the waste, separating 75% of beach litter and different plastics from residual waste. These will be reprocessed directly into new filaments at the QUB PPRC.
Our efforts paid off as we collected 9.37 kg of waste in colour-coordinated bags (sponsored by EcoDepo):
🟡 0.96 kg - Plastic Rigids
🟢 0.51 kg - Braided Rope
🔵 2.3 kg - Twine
⚫ 5.6 kg - Everything Else
🔸️Awakening Sustainable Pasts: An Island of Maritime Stories🔸️
Next, we immersed ourselves in the rich history of Rathlin. Listening to captivating oral histories and tales of self-reliance from Rathlin's past from the island residents was inspiring. We also explored and the and discovered how the FII design team will bring new life to these stories.
We even had our first look at the collaborative booklet from Future Island-Island (WP 2) and the Rathlin Oral History Group.
🔸️Architects of Change 'Graffiti Wall'🔸️
A spotlight on creativity. This display, created by young pupils, showcased their hard work from taking part in the Architects of Change workshops as part of our project and their passion for the future of our planet. It was exciting to see the next generation so engaged!
🔸️Brockley Axe XR Showcase🔸️
One of the highlights was the immersive Brockley Axe XR experience which brought to life a digital twin of the Brockley Axe found on Rathlin. Innovation at its finest as we explore how to enhance sustainable tourism through digital technologies.
🔸️The Rathlin Raft Race🔸️
Our 'University Challenged' team of three might not have had the fastest lap of the Bay, but with a pallet, boogie boards, and life vests, they gave it their all. Teamwork makes the dream work!
Rathlin, you have been incredible. Thank you for the unforgettable experience!
Check out some quick highlights from the week 🔽
Arts and Humanities Research Council - AHRC | Design Museum | Ulster University | Queen's University Belfast | Explore Causeway Coast And Glens | Rathlin Development & Community Association | Rathlin Sound Festival | Causeway Coast & Glens Events | Causeway Coast and Glens Borough Council
04/06/2024
Some brave members of our team pulled on their wetsuits and paddled their way to a solid 4th place in the Rathlin Sound Festival raft race on Sunday. 🌊 🏁
While there were only four teams entered, our trio dubbed 'University Challenged' proved that it's not about winning—it's about staying (somewhat) afloat and having fun.
Special thanks to the local kids who were out swimming and gave a helping hand (or two), and well done to everyone who took part.
A fantastic way to round up our time at the Rathlin Sound Maritime Festival!
Rathlin Development & Community Association Rathlin Sound Festival Visit Causeway Coast and Glens Explore Causeway Coast And Glens Causeway Coast & Glens Events Friends and residents of Rathlin
Explore the fascinating world of Neolithic craftsmanship and cutting-edge technology with the new immersive Brockley Axe XR experience from the Future Island-Island team.
Bringing to life a digital twin of the Brockley Axe found on , the showcase provides a unique glimpse into ancient techniques and traditions. 🪓
Don't miss your chance to delve into history and test your skills at creating a Brockley Axe firsthand at the Rathlin Sound Festival 2024.
🗓️ Thu 30 May
⏰ 11 am - 4 pm
📍 FII Gazebo, The Seafront, Rathlin
🔽 Check out the clip below to see it in action.
Work Package 2: Green Digital Transition
Meticulously recreated by YellowDesign.
Arts and Humanities Research Council - AHRC | Design Museum | Ulster University | Queen's University Belfast | Rathlin Development & Community Association | Friends and residents of Rathlin | Visit Causeway Coast and Glens | Causeway Coast & Glens Events | Explore Causeway Coast And Glens
It is inspiring to see young minds engaged in understanding important issues such as , their impact on the planet, and the significance of preserving our environment.
This highlights the importance of in driving meaningful change and nurturing young minds as the "future stewards of our environment and communities."
We are looking forward to collaborating on the next phase of our research, where we will integrate other FII work package themes into a programme for Sustainable Futures Education (WP4), exploring topics from waste management culture to sustainable tourism.
Arts and Humanities Research Council - AHRC | Design Museum
28/05/2024
Glimpse into the exciting endeavours of the Future Island-Island Project at our stalls during the Rathlin Sound Festival!
🗓️30 May - 2 June
📍 Future Island-Island Gazebo, The Seafront
Our stalls will be buzzing with activity updates and interactive experiences, with contributors from across different project strands available to engage with the community.
Don't miss out on the chance to discover the latest steps in our project, as we work together to strengthen the green transition ecosystem on Rathlin and beyond.
Arts and Humanities Research Council - AHRC | Design Museum | Ulster University | Queen's University Belfast | Rathlin Development & Community Association | Friends and residents of Rathlin | Visit Causeway Coast and Glens | Causeway Coast & Glens Events | Explore Causeway Coast And Glens
27/05/2024
During our pilot beach clean at the NI Science Festival 2024, we collected 28 kg of waste in one hour. This time, we're aiming even bigger!
We're hosting The Big Rathlin Beach Clean on 30 May at the Rathlin Sound Festival 2024, as part of our effort to create a Northern Ireland-wide beach clean and circular supply chain strategy. 🔄️
We will measure and sort the waste before taking it to the labs at Ulster University and Queen's University Belfast for analysis and transformation into new materials.
Thanks to our partners at BIGsmall Design, everyone taking part will receive a comprehensive beach clean guide, allowing us to effortlessly identify and categorise the litter we come across, along with colour-coordinated litter bags provided by EcoDepo for efficient sorting and analysis.
Don't Miss Out. Register for The Big Rathlin Beach Clean: https://bit.ly/3QWfs0l
⬇️ Beach clean material samples gathered from Harbour Bay, Rathlin during NI Science Festival 2024.
📸Photo Credits: BIGsmall Design
Arts and Humanities Research Council - AHRC | Design Museum | Ulster University | Queen's University Belfast | Rathlin Development & Community Association | Friends and residents of Rathlin | Visit Causeway Coast and Glens | Causeway Coast & Glens Events | Explore Causeway Coast And Glens
27/05/2024
🎨 Architects of Change: 'Graffiti Walls': A Creative Journey by Future Environmental Guardians 🎨
On Display Now!
Immerse yourself in a creative showcase of primary school children's at the Rathlin Sound Festival 2024!
📅 27 May - 2 June
📍Church of the Immaculate Conception, Rathlin
The collection was crafted during a six-week workshop program led by Architects of Change as part of the Future Island-Island project, and inspired by topics ranging from 'What is Sustainability?' and 'Carbon Footprint Impacts' to 'Climate Change' and beyond. ♻️🌿
Don't miss viewing these masterpieces!
Participating schools included St Mary's Primary School, Rathlin, Ballycastle Integrated Primary School and Armoy Primary School.
Arts and Humanities Research Council - AHRC | Design Museum | Ulster University | Visit Causeway Coast and Glens | Rathlin Development & Community Association | Friends and residents of Rathlin | Explore Causeway Coast And Glens | Causeway Coast & Glens Events
23/05/2024
🌊 Awakening Sustainable Pasts: An Island of Maritime Stories 🌊
We're embarking on a captivating journey into Rathlin Island's rich maritime history at the Rathlin Sound Festival 2024.
🗓️ 30 May 2024
⏰ 2:30 PM - 4 PM
📍 St Thomas' Church, Rathlin
The Future Island-Island team has partnered with the Rathlin Island Oral History Group to revisit oral history collections and discover insights about self-reliance and sustainability in the island's past.
Featured Speakers and Topics:
🔸 Maxim Fomin (UU): Folklore and the sea.
🔸 Wes Forsythe (UU): The Madill collection and historic boats.
🔸Jessica Bates (UU & Rathlin resident): Recent oral history material.
🔸 Future Island-Island Design Team: Bringing new life to Rathlin's stories through design.
Immerse yourself in stories from the Rathlin shore and explore how 'Awakening Sustainable Pasts' can help build sustainable futures.
Sneak a peek at the design piece below, crafted by Sarah Dargie (UU), which will be featured in the first output of the collaboration between Future Island-Island (WP 2 members) and the Rathlin Oral History Group.
Work Package 2: Green Digital Transition
Arts and Humanities Research Council - AHRC | Design Museum | Ulster University | Rathlin Development & Community Association | Visit Causeway Coast and Glens | Causeway Coast & Glens Events | Explore Causeway Coast And Glens
21/05/2024
🌊 Join Us for The Big Rathlin Beach Clean! 🌊
The Future Island-Island team is excited to host a during the Rathlin Sound Festival 2024.
Take part in a guided beach clean where we'll explore the impact of marine litter on our beach environment and learn how to repurpose waste into valuable resources.
📅 Thu 30 May 2024
⏰ 11:00 AM - 1:00 PM
📍 Harbour Bay, Rathlin Island
🔎Discover the stories behind litter and see how we can transform trash into treasure.
Get Your Tickets Today: https://bit.ly/3QWfs0l
Guided by Dr Susann Power, Ulster University
Work Package 1: Product Waste Ecosystems
Arts and Humanities Research Council - AHRC | Design Museum | Ulster University | Visit Causeway Coast and Glens | Rathlin Development & Community Association | Causeway Coast & Glens Events | Explore Causeway Coast And Glens
The Big Rathlin Beach Clean The Future Island-Island team will be hosting a Beach Clean on Rathlin Island as part of the Rathlin Sound Maritime Festival 2024.
20/05/2024
The Future Island-Island team is excited to launch our upcoming series of engaging events at the Rathlin Sound Maritime Festival 2024.
From 'hands-on' activities to project showcases and more, we're highlighting the community, heritage, and environment of and their significance for our design-focused research.
Here's what's coming up:
🚮 The Big Rathlin Beach Clean
🌿 Awakening Sustainable Pasts
🎨 Architects of Change 'Graffiti Walls'
🚀 Future Island-Island Project Stalls
📅 What events are marked on your calendar?
Learn More: https://bit.ly/4bJy4bR
Rathlin Sound Festival | Arts and Humanities Research Council - AHRC | Design Museum | Rathlin Development & Community Association | Visit Causeway Coast and Glens | Ulster University
17/05/2024
We're attending the Rathlin Sound Festival! 🌊
Get ready for an exciting lineup of events and activities as we join the celebration on Rathlin Island and showcase the strides we're taking across our project strands.
Thank you to the Rathlin Development & Community Association for inviting us to take part.
Stay tuned for updates on what we have in store. 🔔
Arts and Humanities Research Council - AHRC, Design Museum, Friends and residents of Rathlin
Fantastic work from Architects of Change project!
We're delighted to have the project team involved in Work Package 4, 'Designing Sustainable Futures Education', using their methodology to engage primary school children and beyond.
In the next phase, research from other Future Island-Island project strands will be incorporated into workshops for St. Mary's Primary School on . The pupils will explore topics from oral histories and waste management practices to eco-tourism and more. 🌿
| Arts and Humanities Research Council - AHRC, Design Museum, Ulster University, Friends and residents of Rathlin
Over the past few weeks, the students of St. Mary's Primary School, Rathlin, Ballycastle Integrated Primary School and Armoy Primary School have embarked on an incredible journey, taking part in a series of workshops with Architects of Change. 📚
The six workshops explored themes of environmental stewardship and and encouraged the students to become guardians of our planet while keeping track of their learning in 'visual diaries'. The best examples from each school will then receive a prize at a graduation ceremony.🌍
Working together in groups, the pupils also illustrated ‘Graffiti Walls’ influenced what they have learned, their insights and feelings during the programme. These will be displayed at the from 24 May to 2 June 2024.
Here's a quick recap of the events:
💡 Becoming Architects of Change
🌊 Lessons Learned from Other Islands and Coastal Communities
🌿 Caring About Carbon
♻️ The Three R's: Reducing, Reusing and Recycling
☀️ Sustainability
🏞️ Our Space and Place
These workshops have been part of Work Package 4, 'Designing Sustainable Futures Education' on the Future Island-Island Research Project, shaping young minds to be leaders in creating a better tomorrow.
Thank you to all the schools and educators for their enthusiastic participation, and a special thanks to Jenny Jackson-Smyth and Lorraine Holloway for their engaging and insightful workshops.
Arts and Humanities Research Council - AHRC, Design Museum Friends and residents of Rathlin Ulster University
03/05/2024
'Island Insights' - Community Engagement Days
Work Package 3: Organic Waste Ecosystems
Project Focus: Pathways to Rathlin Wool
During our Community Engagement Days, we held the "Pathways to Rathlin Wool" session, an extension of focus groups and discussions on textile skills on Rathlin Island.
Collaborating with island residents and creatives passionate about textiles and sustainability, Work Package 3 researchers Anna Duffy, Alison Gault, and Kirsty Pourshahidi embarked on a journey to examine wool, food waste, and the colours of Rathlin.
⭐ Highlights from the session include:
🎨 Delving into the world of colour, discussing its significance and exploring hues reflective of the island's essence. Residents shared their insights and personal connections to Rathlin's colours, laying the foundation for a bespoke colour palette that could shape future wool products and establish a distinct brand for Rathlin.
🧶 Brainstorming potential Rathlin wool craft products and alternative outputs.
🌱 Furthering the investigation into natural colour dye and gathering insights into plant-based food waste from participants.
An inspiring session fueled by collaboration and creativity, weaving a new pathway in the green transition and harnessing the potential of organic waste ecosystems.
Arts and Humanities Research Council - AHRC
Design Museum
30/04/2024
Team Day Out on Rathlin! ☀️
The Future Island-Island Project Management Team had a fantastic day as they set sail on a team outing to . From planning exciting activities and brainstorming opportunities to exploring the sights in rain and shine, the team had a busy day full of collaboration and appreciation on the island.
Stay tuned for the upcoming adventures! 🚀
RSPB, Arts and Humanities Research Council - AHRC, Design Museum, LIFE Raft Rathlin Development & Community Association
📷 Photo Credits: Gillian Colhoun
Today is , and this year highlights the theme of .
Future Island-Island aims to develop a regional approach for a circular plastics ecosystem, directly aligning with obligation A (iii) of the Global Plastic Treaty position paper.
On 20 February, the Future Island-Island team, residents and the LIFE Raft team completed a pilot beach clean at Church Bay, Rathlin Island, as part of the NI Science Festival 2024. Together, we collected 28kgs of beach waste in just one hour before separating the waste into different types using the categorisation method.
Following its success, we're conducting an even bigger beach clean on Church Bay on 30 May 2024 for the . We will measure and document the waste gathered and take it to the labs at Ulster University and Queen's University Belfast (part of AMIC) for characterisation and development into material recipes for extraction, rotomoulding and 3DP filaments.
We hope this initiative can be developed into a Northern Ireland-wide beach clean, promoting a new waste management culture and circular supply chain in local communities and beyond.
_______________________________________________________________________
Future Island-Island is a Green Transition Ecosystems project funded by the Arts and Humanities Research Council - AHRC and supported by the Design Museum's Future Observatory.
EarthDay.org LIFE Programme
Find out more:
Global Plastic Treaty Position Paper:https://plasticseurope.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/Shorter-Version-Plastics-Europe-position-INC2.pdf
Advanced Manufacturing Innovation Centre: https://www.brcd-innovation.co.uk/projects/amic
17/04/2024
We’re excited to be hosting 'Island Insights', a series of community engagement days on Rathlin from 18 - 20 April, to collaborate and co-create with residents.
These sessions will serve as a platform for residents to map and re-imagine pathways to initiatives as co-designers for Rathlin Island’s green transition. From workshops and focus groups to stalls and discussions, we'll be delving into a wealth of topics where locals can add their perspectives and expert insights.
Project research leads and work package co-investigators will also be present to explore and discuss exciting new possibilities for the island.
We can't wait to continue our collaboration with the Rathlin community and shape this transformative process together.
Arts and Humanities Research Council - AHRC
Design Museum
Click here to claim your Sponsored Listing.
Videos (show all)
Category
Contact the university
Website
Address
York Street
Belfast
BT151ED
Ulster University Architecture Society 22/23
Belfast
- OFFICIAL UU Architecture Society 22/23 - Welcome back to the GRIND 🥴 -
UU Games Design Society
York Street
Belfast, BT151ED
Welcome to UU Games Design Society! Our aim in this society is to provide the students interest in
St Mary's University College - Belfast
191 Falls Road
Belfast, BT126FE
Founded in 1900 offering professional teacher education & integrated liberal arts. A College of QUB.
UUSU Fashion and Textiles Society
25-51 York Street
Belfast, BT151ED
We are the UUSU Fashion and Textiles Society based on Ulster University's Belfast Campus. Open to all UU students on any course, with an interest in fashion and textiles.
Queen's University Open Learning
Belfast, BT71LN
We offer a wide range of part-time courses open to all adults regardless of qualifications or experi
The Ulster Screen Academy
York Street
Belfast, BT151ED
page of Ulster Screen Academy @UlsterUniversity. Follow us @UUScreen on Twitter & Instagram
QUB Students Against Human Trafficking Society
27-30 University Square
Belfast, BT71NN
The official page for the Students Against Human Trafficking Society at Queen’s University Belfast
QUB Wilderness and Expedition Medicine Society
Queen’s Students’ Union, 1 Elmwood Avenue
Belfast, BT96AZ
Official FB account of QUB Wilderness and Expedition Medicine Society (QUBWEMS) @qubelfast.
QUB - School of Electronics, Electrical Engineering and Computer Science
Computer Science Building
Belfast, BT95BN
School of EEECS, Queen's University Belfast www.qub.ac.uk/eeecs
‘Interpersonal Communication and Social Interaction’ Conference 2011
Wellington Park Hotel, 21 Malone Road
Belfast, BT96RU