Toolkit

As you move through the toolkit, you will come across different terms that are in use within the collective imagination practice community. We include some definitions below, knowing that language and its meanings are ever in flux. 

Collective imagination 

Collective imagination is a multidisciplinary practice involving a group or community who come together to create ideas, narratives, or visions about their society, its possibilities, and future directions. The practice emphasises interdependence, exploring what the collective can dream and build that the individual can not. It often involves different ways of being and knowing to collectively imagine (and then make) alternative ways of living and organising, which can support the group to untether from entrenched ideas and influence wider cultural, social, economic, or political developments. 

Ecological imagination 

The ecological imagination refers to the capacity to envision and understand complex interactions within ecological systems, encompassing both natural environments and human impacts on them. It involves the ability to think creatively about the relationships between different components of ecosystems, such as organisms, the environment, and human activities, and allows for the wisdom inherent in ecosystems to be applied to human systems and environments. Ecological imagination can also extend to envisioning possible futures and solutions that enhance the sustainability and health of these systems.

Foresight 

Foresight involves the ability to anticipate potential future events, trends, and developments, and to plan or prepare accordingly. It combines elements of prediction, planning, and proactive thinking. Foresight is not just about predicting the future, but also about understanding the potential implications of current actions and trends, and using this understanding to make informed decisions that shape future outcomes.

Imagination infrastructures

“When combined, though, the amalgam 'imagination infrastructure' evokes more than the sum of its two parts. Three possible meanings arise when we bring together these two very different words. First, an infrastructure which supports the use and development of the skill and faculty of imagination; second, a process or methodology involving the use of imaginative faculties to design new infrastructure; and third, a description of the way certain forms of sociotechnical imaginaries are embodied in physical infrastructures.” – Olivia Oldham

Kin and more-than-human kin

Kinship extends to those considered part of one's family or close relational network, even if there is no biological or legal tie. This broader understanding acknowledges that relationships akin to family can be formed through emotional bonds, shared experiences, and mutual support. Concepts of kinship can also expand to include non-human entities such as animals, plants, and ecosystems. This expansion reflects an ecological or spiritual recognition of interconnectedness across living systems, emphasising that humans are part of a larger community of life that deserves care and respect. Such a view is often associated with indigenous worldviews and contemporary ecological thought, where the notion of being "kin" includes a moral and ethical dimension of living in harmony with nature.

Life-affirming infrastructure 

Life-affirming infrastructure refers to systems and structures that are designed and operated in ways that support the well-being of all forms of life and the health of ecosystems. This concept goes beyond the basic functionality and efficiency typically associated with infrastructure, integrating principles of sustainability, ecological balance, and social equity.

Paradigm shift 

A "paradigm shift" refers to a fundamental change in the underlying assumptions or methodologies within any theory or discipline. This term, popularised by philosopher Thomas Kuhn in his work on the history of science, describes a transformation in the accepted norms, values, and practices that govern a field, often leading to new frameworks and perspectives that differ radically from previous ones.

Polycrisis and metacrisis

A polycrisis refers to a cluster of interconnected crises that mutually reinforce and exacerbate each other, spanning across different domains such as economics, environment, politics, and social structures. A polycrisis is characterised by the interaction of various global or regional problems that create a compounded effect, making solutions more challenging and impacts more severe.

A metacrisis refers to an overarching crisis of the systems that underpin society, including economic, political, educational, and cultural systems. A metacrisis reflects a deeper and more systemic dysfunction or failure that impacts multiple aspects of human civilization. It points to fundamental flaws or inadequacies in how societies operate and address problems, suggesting that traditional methods of crisis management are insufficient or part of the problem.

Somatics

Somatics is a term used to describe a field of study and practice that focuses on the body as perceived from within. This approach emphasises the internal experience of the body, incorporating the interconnectedness of mind, body, and spirit. It involves the exploration of physical movements, awareness practices, and therapeutic techniques to enhance bodily perception and function and to internalise knowledge that is felt and lived, or ‘embodied knowledge.’

Sympoeisis 

The term "sympoiesis," which stands for "making-with," is a concept developed by scholars like Donna Haraway to describe systems that do not have self-contained boundaries but are complex, interdependent, and co-evolving. This concept is used in social and cultural theory to emphasise the interconnectedness and collaborative processes of living and nonliving actors in systems.

Systems change

Systems change refers to a broad, transformational process that affects the fundamental aspects of a system, including its structures, practices, policies, and power dynamics. It goes beyond addressing symptoms or making incremental improvements; it targets the underlying causes and mechanisms that produce issues