Radical Ecology CIC

Radical Ecology CIC is a Community Interest Company (company number 13808063) based at Dartington Hall, Totnes, Devon. Its nature of business per Companies House includes research & experimental development of natural sciences & engineering; cultural education; support activities to performing arts; and artistic creation. Key programmes and activities in 2024 Here are some of the main programmes, events, and initiatives undertaken by Radical Ecology in 2024: • Invasion Ecology A programme questioning the concept of “invasive alien species”, exploring ideas around nativity, belonging, power, identity and plant-human-animal-landscape relations. The programme included: • An exhibition at Southcombe Barn (Widecombe-in-the-Moor) running from May to August 2024, with artists including Ingrid Pollard, Iman Datoo, Hanna Tuulikki, Ashish Ghadiali, Fern Leigh Albert and Ashanti Hare. • Webinars with speakers such as Banu Subramaniam, Alaa Abu Asad, Yan Wang Preston, etc. • Participation/performance events, e.g. a participatory performance by Iman Datoo, Tsitsi Mareika Chirikure, and Ashish Ghadiali, shown in venues around Devon & Cornwall. • Diversity in Gardens (DIG) A collaborative project with The Apricot Centre and Devon & Cornwall Refugee Support, aiming to increase inclusion in green spaces, land work and food cultivation skills. It seeks to bridge communities, promote nature connection among marginalised populations, and address inequalities. • Migrant Futurism: Of Other Worlds An event series for Refugee Week (and related) in partnership with Devon & Cornwall Refugee Support, Arts Institute Plymouth, Plymouth University and The Apricot Centre. It brought together regional stakeholders to examine connections between immigration/asylum policy, public services, and to imagine more compassionate futures. • Radical Ecology Digital Hub Design & development (led by Iman Datoo) of a low-carbon website / digital hub to archive, reflect on, and build momentum for work in environmental justice, bridging cultural programmes and research, local and transnational scales. • Other events late 2024 • “Geology, Water and Liberation in the Landscape” event (walks, talks, art, film etc.) - bringing cultural leaders together to reflect on themes of landscape, colonial histories, the environment. • “After the Riots” - following the riots in 2024, Radical Ecology CIC created spaces for dialogue and reflection with community partners, using art and cultural programming to address themes of belonging, resilience, and justice.” • “Survival is a Promise” – a series of events in November 2024 including celebration, discussions, writing workshop, screening etc., especially centering Audre Lorde’s work and Black feminist perspectives. How these activities have benefited the community • Inclusion: By involving marginalised groups (e.g. refugees, people in migration contexts) in green-space projects, performance, dialogues, creative production, Radical Ecology helps give voice and agency to communities often excluded. • Cultural education and awareness: Through exhibitions, performances, webinars, and talks, producing critical reflection on ecology, migration, colonial histories, belonging etc., contributing to public-mindset shifts and broader discourse around environmental justice. • Accessibility of nature and arts: Specifically via projects like Diversity in Gardens which combine nature connection, land work and food cultivation, making green space more accessible, both physically and culturally. • Building networks: Collaborations with arts institutions, universities, refugee support organisations, galleries across Devon & Cornwall. These help to strengthen inter-organisational capacity around climate justice, arts + environment. • Creative expression & alternative narratives: By challenging dominant discourses (on native vs invasive species, for example), Radical Ecology is fostering more plural, humane, relational ways of thinking about human-nonhuman life, potentially contributing to longer-term shifts in environmental stewardship, policy, and culture. 1. Co-creation of programmes • Designing projects such as Diversity in Gardens in partnership with Devon & Cornwall Refugee Support and The Apricot Centre. • Involving stakeholders directly in shaping the activities, rather than delivering a “top-down” programme. 2. Participatory events and performances • Inviting community members and audiences to take part in workshops, performances, and discussions as part of programmes like Of Other Worlds and After the Riots. • Using dialogue-based art forms to capture lived experiences and perspectives. 3. Collaborative partnerships • Working with galleries, universities, and cultural institutions across Devon & Cornwall (e.g. Thelma Hulbert Gallery, Southcombe Barn, Plymouth University). • Jointly developing exhibitions, talks, and educational activities that reflect multiple stakeholder priorities. 4. Public talks, webinars, and Q&As • Hosting online and in-person webinars where academics, artists, and community members could ask questions and share views. • These sessions allowed for feedback loops on programme direction. 5. Informal feedback during events • Collecting verbal feedback and reflections from participants and audiences after exhibitions, screenings, and performances. • Using this input to adapt or expand future programming. 6. Knowledge exchange with academics and practitioners • Engaging researchers, writers, and practitioners in Invasion Ecology seminars, fostering dialogue between cultural and scientific communities. • Positioning Radical Ecology as a hub where diverse stakeholders can connect. 7. Digital engagement • Creating the Radical Ecology Digital Hub to make programmes accessible online. • Allowing remote stakeholders to engage with events and provide input asynchronously. 8. Funders and commissioning bodies • Reporting to and consulting with funders (e.g. Esmee Fairbairn Foundation) to ensure alignment with shared goals around inclusion, environmental justice, and cultural engagement.