September 2024:
This summer, I’ve packed up and closed a rich chapter of living and working in the UK. I have made some deep friendships with colleagues at TPXimpact and am proud of all the public sector design research work I achieved over the course of my projects. I leave the company fondly as well as on my own terms.
As I resettle in Canada, I’m #opentowork and am interested in remote contracting/freelance positions, while I practice patience in finding the right full-time gig.
Before the big move, I had the privilege and luxury of taking a month-long reflection period to do some coastal walking in northern Wales, and a farewell-Europe tour from Belgium, the Netherlands, to Sweden and back via train. During this time, I turned my ‘futures’ spotlight on myself and my own scope of practice. By spending more time in rural and remote locations in the UK and Sweden, I found myself gaining an appreciation for those living at the geographic fringes. Asking myself, “How can empathy and trust be built between geographically separated groups?”
I have indulged in reading many design and research books during this mini-career break. Bringing design justice, decolonizing design, and equitable practices to the forefront continues to be an area I want to explore more. Would love to hear more book recommendations from others!
Coming Soon:
Based on the positive reception at Rosenfeld’s Advancing Research conference, I’m still developing a workshop on how to apply futures anthropology as a methodology. Stay tuned for when that workshop is launched.
I’m actively expanding my Canadian network and am eager to connect for mentorship (and “peership”) with other likeminded researchers. Know someone who might value a conversation? Interested in working together?
Nicole Aleong 