Phoebe Tickell is a British-Hungarian imagination activist who wants to inspire people to see that a beautiful world is possible. Instead of being paralyzed by social crises, we must live up to our human values. On October 23, Phoebe Tickell will be the keynote speaker at the conference “Innovative Solutions for an Inclusive Workplace,” organized by Forum for Social Innovation Sweden.
Phoebe Tickell began her career in academia and biology. When Phoebe realized that science did not provide all the solutions needed to address the major challenges we face, and when the techno-utopian narrative began to frustrate her, she became a social entrepreneur.
“We already have all the technology and research we need to solve the problems we’re facing,” she says.
After working on complex societal challenges and systemic change with educational institutions, governments, and a social funder, as well as within the food, agriculture, and regenerative agriculture sectors, she realized that one key element was missing.
“People can’t imagine how things could be different; they’re stuck in the belief that there’s no other way,” she says.
Moral Imagination helps convince people that a different future is possible
That is why she began working on and founded Moral Imagination, a research center and design lab for experience-based collective imagination methods, in 2020. Phoebe Tickell is now working to convince people that a different future and a different society are possible, based on a regenerative vision rooted in care, kindness, and reciprocity.
“I strive to create, catalyze, and coordinate projects that rewrite our current history,” she says.
Influenced and inspired by indigenous peoples and Buddhism
Phoebe Tickell herself is deeply influenced and inspired by the philosophies and principles of Indigenous peoples and Buddhism. When she traveled to the U.S. for the first time at age 19, she came across the book *I Buried My Heart at Wounded Knee*, a chronicle of the genocide of North America’s indigenous peoples and the colonization that accompanied the founding of the U.S., and was shocked.
“Why weren’t we taught about colonization and the extermination of Indigenous peoples in school? They valued simplicity and lived in harmony with nature, but they were punished,” she says, continuing:
– We have so much to learn about regenerative principles from ancient and wise cultures. How to use social design guided by sustainability and learn to care for the whole.
After graduating from college, Phoebe spent six months traveling around Southeast Asia. She stayed in ashrams, lived a simple life, and was introduced to Buddhism. Phoebe believes that Buddhism is a good guide to how to live. With its humble and wise approach, it focuses on how to cultivate mindfulness and a sense of connection, and is based on meditation and practice.
I want to inspire people to see that a beautiful world is possible
Phoebe Tickell now works as an “imagination activist”—a term she coined to describe a form of activism that is both new and old at the same time. While traditional activists fight against the prevailing system and oppressive forces, imagination activists serve as a complement by envisioning the new.
“Activists hold people accountable for their wrongdoings. They protect and resist. They use guilt and shame to demand accountability. Activists with a vision inspire people to see that a beautiful world is possible. By fostering hope and taking action, we can create that future,” says Phoebe Tickell.
Instead of letting ourselves be paralyzed by crises in society, shutting ourselves off, and starting to shift the blame, we must live up to our human values. We need to rally our strength and take action, drawing on inspiration and moral ambition.
“Moral imagination allows you to expand your empathy. This ability can be used to imagine what it’s like to be the other person, without any privileges,” says Phoebe.
Companies have enormous influence and can choose to be bold
Phoebe Tickell works across sectors and disciplines. She sees this as both a challenge and an opportunity and emphasizes the importance of helping organizations and individuals recognize their role in either exacerbating issues such as the climate crisis or ensuring a moral stance. Phoebe leads workshops, gives lectures, and creates tools to facilitate work on moral imagination and foster ambassadors. She uses various methods and tools such as role-playing exercises, Exploring Different Compass—which allows people to explore different topics and perspectives—group exercises, and personal reflections. She is currently working to create spaces for collective capacity-building for civil society, as well as to inspire and help organizations and communities understand the scope of ongoing crises.
“I work with companies. I provide them with facts and insights and help them understand the current crises and the responsibilities they bear by being direct and not afraid to be uncomfortable. It’s about highlighting the urgency of the situation and also the moral implications,” says Phoebe Tickell, continuing:
“But it’s also about helping organizations realize that they can play a different role. They can choose to act in different ways. Companies have enormous platforms. If they can be bold and daring, they can have a huge impact on a sector or an entire industry. They shouldn’t wait for other organizations to take the first step,” Phoebe Tickell continues.
Has worked with IKEA
Phoebe has worked with IKEA, the London Marathon, AXA, and other companies. At IKEA, she developed a module on moral reasoning to be incorporated into a recurring leadership training program led by the company.
“I gave a presentation, and we developed a vision for the future: How can IKEA transform itself by 2050? The commitment IKEA is showing is very encouraging,” she says.
Together with Inner Development Goals, the Swedish Society for Nature Conservation, Lund University, and other key stakeholders, Phoebe is now involved in creating a hub for imagination activists in Sweden.
Keynote speaker at a conference in Luleå
On October 23, Phoebe Tickell will be the keynote speaker at the conference “Innovative Solutions for an Inclusive Workplace ” in Luleå. She will give a presentation and lead a session titled “Moral Imagination for Radical Societal Shifts.” The conference is part of Forum for Social Innovation Sweden's as Competence Centre for Social Innovation European Social Fund, which provides support for social innovation.
“As a national knowledge platform and as Competence Centre for Social Innovation the European Social Fund, Forum for Social Innovation Sweden views Forum for Social Innovation Sweden to envision social change as central to social innovation processes. It is important here to create new and alternative visions of the future that can serve as a guide for achieving social change,” says Anna Tengqvist, national and international coordinator at Forum for Social Innovation Sweden within the Competence Center.
“As an activist in moral imagination, Phoebe Tickell will take us on a journey to explore how we might envision an alternative future beyond today’s established order. It’s about imagining the society of the future, if we are allowed to think freely. It is therefore important to challenge limiting norms and perceptions within ourselves and the rest of society, says Lotta Orban, project manager for the conference and at Forum for Social Innovation Sweden.
In Luleå, Phoebe is looking forward to talking with and meeting a group of people from a different culture who are passionate about kindness and compassion, and to sharing her activism with them.
Phoebe Tickell’s advice on how to cultivate and nurture moral imagination:
- It starts with you! Go beyond the rational and cultivate a Buddhist sense of presence and awareness. If you want to be a powerful activist, you must be fully present in the moment.
- Take care of your inner well-being—be happy, passionate, and creative.
- Ask yourself, “What does the future you long for look like?” Visualizing the future will help you come up with solutions you never even imagined.
- Don’t fill your time with distractions. Rest, spend time with your family, and enjoy nature.
- Allow time and space for reflection.
- Step outside your echo chamber. Broaden, challenge, and diversify your perspectives.
- Ask yourself, “What would nature say if it had a voice of its own?” and “What would future generations say if they could share their perspective on the decisions you make today?”
- Tell stories from the future as if you’ve already come from the future. Help people to truly
Learn more about and register for the conference “Innovative Solutions for an Inclusive Workplace,” October 23 in Luleå.
Learn more about the work of Competence Centre for Social Innovation the European Social Fund.
Learn more about Phoebe Tickell.
Learn more about Moral Imagination.
Text: Lotta Orban