Work-in-Progress: What I am doing, and why
January 2026
The core of my work is to seek out inspiring people who are designing for life, for real, in diverse contexts. I write about their work in books (12) and online (900+ blog posts). In keynote talks, I explain what you can do, with others, to help them thrive. I help universities develop innovation and design projects. I curate festivals and biennials which bring these project leaders together. Between times, I host Retreat-MeetUps at our house in France, together with Kristi van Riet
thackara.com/
Full cv: JThackara_CV.pdf
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Care, Value, Place: Design for the Web of Life (Shanghai)
The above themes informed my work as a professor at Tongji University since 2019. I curated the Urban-Rural Reconnection expo in Shanghai in 2019; I serve on the editorial board of She Ji; I co-wrote the DesignS Manifesto; I advise PhD students in the SustainX Lab; and work with the Ecology & Cultures Lab of Prof Valsecchi. As his Senior Advisor, I’ve now followed Prof. Lou Yongqi to Shanghai University of Engineering Science, where he is president. We will focus on the Design Harvest 3.0 programme.
thackara.com/urbanrural/research-statement-for-tongji-university/
Care, Value, Place (Mumbai)
I’m on the Advisory Group of BITS Design, the new design school in Mumbai founded by Kumar Mangalam Birla, and led by its Dean, Nandita Abraham.Care, Value, Place is a two-day event that I co-curate wth BITSdesign, we invite grassroots project leaders to discuss how design might serve their real-world, place-based projects. Our focus areas are: Natural Farming; Watershed Recovery; Care; and Heat.
Landscapes of Care (Scottish Highlands)
How best can design serve bioregions, and urban-rural relationships? At the invitation of Professor Irene McAra-McWilliam, OBE, I’m visiting professor at Rural Lab on the Altyre Estate, in Scotland, site of the Glasgow School of Art’s ’s Highlands & Islands Campus. This work builds on my four years as a guest critic at the GDSA’s Winter school convened by Professor Gordon Hush and led by Professor Albert Fuster.
Bioregional Learning Alliance
Bioregioning reminds us that we live among watersheds, foodsheds, and fibersheds – not just in cities, towns, or ‘the countryside’. I help Isabel Carlisle, founder of the Bioregional Learning Centre, develop design courses for early and mid- career professionals.
Village Hosts Movement (Europe)
Many small villages in Europe have been suffering from depopulation – but the tide is turning. In 2020, together with Andrea Paoletti and the Casa Netural Foundation, I helped found the Open School for Village Hosts, a community of practice for mid-career professionals. The movement helps local leaders enhance and expand activities that create positive ecological and social impact.
villagehosts.eu/future-villages-lies-hands-rural-activators/
Salon, retreats and offsites (France)
A small number (4-10 people) come to explore what designing for life might mean, for them, In practice. Some are already working on a live project. Others groups are exploring alternative new pathways. Our offsites are hosted by the not-for-profit Doors of Perception Association.
thackara.com/meetinfrance/offsite/
Dancing With Life
The words ‘Dancing With Life’ were coined by the scientist Donella Meadows to describe healthy ways to connect with, and live among, living systems.
Her words are the working title of my next book which will be co-published by Thames & Hudson and Lilliput Press.
