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Carra is UK-based and works internationally.
© Carra Santos. All rights reserved.

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Indentifying Interconnections

Connecting the dots between sectors, disciplines and themes.
How do tobacco control efforts contribute to building community cohesion? How does 'urban greening' contribute to reduced inequalities? I consolidate seemingly disparate agendas by framing a specific topic as a key leverage point for connecting multiple themes.

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Strengthening Interconnections

Anchoring connections to unifying targets, frameworks and goals.
How can we be confident in the connections? I cross-reference emerging connections with academic research; global, national, local and sectoral targets; and existing initiatives; grounding intuition in evidence.

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Communicating Interconnections

Inspiring collaborative support through adaptive communication.
How can we engage everyone we need? I explore values and motivations to indicate needs, motivations and perspectives of various stakeholders, adapting content and examples to ensure it is relevant and relatable to each individual/group.

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Learning Design & Facilitation

Selected examples:The World We Will Create
Visioning and futures thinking workshops and resources for young people (15-24) to support their sense of empowerment and agency in shaping a climate-positive future in ways that inspire them.Bridge to Belonging
A place-based evaluation method to establish priorities and consensus among designers and decision-makers at a neighbourhood level - in particular, within areas of urban inequality/deprivation.Design Council: 'Design, differently'
Coach and co-facilitator for a six-month Design Council programme that invited six communities and councils to combine design thinking with systems thinking to solve local challenges arising from the wider effects of climate change.The Future of Interior Design Practice
Research and curriculum guidance on interior design education in the context of a regenerative, distributive and circular economy, for an award-winning private interior design school in London, UK.The Basics of Sustainable Futures
Design and facilitation of a four-part education programme for design, business, finance and technology academics, to provide the broader sustainable development context beyond their subject specialisms, and help inform their content and curriculums.Design for Thriving Cities
A future-shaping series of workshops for design professionals, conveying needs and knowledge in context, including Circular Economy, Social Value, Inclusive Design and Reinstating Nature.The Sustainability Spectrum
A learning series for creative and professional services demonstrating the full scope of sustainable futures beyond 'green', and their unique potential to support an integrated approach to environmental, social and economic innovation.Collaborative Bath
Organising and hosting monthly participatory learning sessions for the professional and local community to read, learn and apply collaborative new economic principles in the World Heritage City of Bath, UK.

Creative Communication

Selected examples:Design Council: 'Design for Planet'
Scriptwriting, delivery and recording of a futures narrative imagining life in circular communities in the year 2033 - on themes of energy, mobility, land use, food, education and circular skills - including co-facilitation of the related workshop at Design for Planet alongside Design Council team members.Make Space for Soil
A cohesive communication campaign concept to educate and encourage two interconnected audiences - city-dwellers and private developers - to incorporate space for soil into urban homes and housing developments, with core messages adapted to each.Maker Carousel for 100% Design
A playful 81sqm makerspace concept and installation designed to reveal the magical world of the designer-maker - from paper prototyping, model-making and block-printing to 3D printing, smart tech and connectivity - promoting 'pro-sumer' culture and circular design practice.Farm Kitchen for 100% Design
A 272sqm immersive design concept, installation and pop-up restaurant integrating micro-agriculture - the practice of growing food on a small scale using a variety of light sources, irrigation methods and growing mediums - into interior design.Mattergarden for 100% Design
A creative concept for a 160sqm design installation devised as an interactive platform for the exploration of natural and regenerative materials, treatments and applications used in design, architecture and construction.

Post-Growth Economics & Enterprise

Selected examples:'Communicating Degrowth: Analysing language to find favourable starting points for degrowth discourse with UK business leaders'
A Master’s dissertation exploring effective communication of sustainability and degrowth business practices to UK business leaders, combining economics, behaviour and communication theory.

'Accelerating Sustainability in Fashion, Clothing and Textiles'
Lead author and presenter of Chapter 17: Crafting connections with clothing: values, influence and relationships, by Carra Santos, Kadian Gosler and Ann Marie Newton. Published by Routledge, and edited by Martin Charter, Bernice Pan and Sandy Black.Economic Development Strategy, Bath & North East Somerset Council, UK
Independent analysis, synthesis and interpretation of participatory research findings for public review, following the Doughnut Economics strategy launch in B&NES, UK, facilitated by economist Kate Raworth and the DEAL team.'Celebration of the Possible', Staffordshire & Stoke-on-Trent, UK
Workshop facilitation supporting Globe Group CIC and Keele University, along with independent analysis, synthesis and interpretation of their initial regional research presented to multi-stakeholders and decision-makers at their launch event.

Talks & Publications

Selected examples:Bath Royal Literary and Scientific Institution ‘Doughnut Economics: Can Bath Thrive Like Amsterdam?’
An in-person lecture at BRLSI exploring the potential of the UK city of Bath to thrive like Amsterdam - the first European city to adopt The Doughnut as its economic development strategy.The RSA (Royal Society of Arts, Manufactures and Commerce) 'A Different Way'
An online talk for the RSA highlighting the role of creatives to shift sustainability-thinking ‘beyond net-zero’ and create the conditions for everyone to thrive within the means of the living world.'Designed for Life' Design & Technology Association (DATA) Podcast
Invited to take part in an ongoing series of conversations spanning education, industry and design, aiming to inspire "tomorrow's solutions today".'All Sewn Up: Dismantling Fast Fashion Consumption as a Social Practice through Creative Empowerment and Consumer Collaboration'
A conference paper on sustainable behaviour change in fashion design and consumption, exploring Social Practice Theory to restore creative thinking and practical skills. Published by UCA (University for the Creative Arts) Centre for Sustainable Design. Presented at Sustainable Innovation Conference.'Talking Trends: Waste Not Want Not'
Panel discussion on food waste, exploring various topics including how food and design meet in the circular economy through new materials for fashion, packaging and construction. Held at the International Food & Drink Event (IFE) London.

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Indentifying Interconnections

Connecting the dots between sectors, disciplines and themes.
Exploring and explaining critical environmental, social and economic themes from particular perspectives to see a clearer way ahead, while adjusting pace, language, format and examples to secure common understanding. This is enabled by my teaching experience and practical creative skills, and academically underpinned by my research into social psychology, behavioural economics, narrative frames and adaptive communication.

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Exploring possibilities

Showcasing the 'pockets of the future' that inspire sustainable behaviours, get beyond any barriers to them, and are woven into the places we live and work through food, architecture, design, culture, and the natural and built environment. This is fuelled by ongoing research into social innovation and community activism, spotting strategies that are imaginative and far-seeing, yet pragmatic in their implementation.

Drawing on: Design Research Methods
Related Services: Design Research • Writing for Engagement • Educational Environments

Foresight & Navigation

Thinking things through to map more confident next steps.
Exploring and explaining critical environmental, social and economic themes from particular perspectives to see a clearer way ahead, while adjusting pace, language, format and examples to secure common understanding. This is enabled by my teaching experience and practical creative skills, and academically underpinned by my research into social psychology, behavioural economics, narrative frames and adaptive communication.

Drawing on:
Critical Thinking
Values Thinking
Futures ThinkingRelated Services:
Consultancy Sessions
Learning Resources
Research Analysis & Interpretation

Cross-sector collaboration

Connecting people and ideas for a more coordinated transition.
Demonstrating ways in which diverse ideologies, research disciplines and practical needs can often connect, overlap, and unite on common ground for both solidarity and effectiveness. This is based on innate systems thinking skills combined with behavioural insights, and an interdisciplinary post-graduate education spanning (among other things) new economics, social cohesion, behaviour change, communication and sustainable design in the built environment.

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Systems Thinking
Collaborative Thinking
Design ThinkingRelated Services:
Cross-Sector Mapping
Stakeholder Mapping
Comparative Analysis