Parallel Presents is a participatory and creative methodology for creating positive visions of sustainable worlds that can be used in diverse settings to generate fresh ideas and a shared sense of hope and possibility.

The Parallel Presents methodology can be applied to any sphere of everyday life, such as food, transport, housing, energy and clothing. It can be used to envision an overall system or to focus on a particular locality or organisation.

In order to support the open generation of diverse and radical ideas, the speculation is based on the premise of present-day parallel worlds, rather than real-world futures – hence ‘Parallel Presents’.

The methodology has a three-stage structure that involves writing, making and enacting.

I deeply appreciate the opportunity to explore innovative perspectives … The experience has been both rewarding and thought-provoking. 

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Parallel Presents …

… is focused on environmental sustainability, social justice and personal wellbeing. These aspects shape the initial ideas and the ways that they are developed through the different activities.

… involves structured activities that are playful, lo-fi and hands-on – we intentionally use playfulness to access different ways of thinking, and embracing the messiness of working with pen and paper.

… creates space to challenge established narratives and explore audacious ideas – so it’s not about generating tweaks to business as usual, but intentionally drawing in wild and challenging ideas.

… is ideal for contexts that feel ‘stuck’ or that need fresh thinking – when you want to fully engage with the scale of change demanded by the climate and ecological crisis and are open to exploring the ‘unthinkable’ in a safe and structured way.

It was fascinating how ideas grew and overlapped and this activity has made me so excited about what can happen. 

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Background

Parallel Presents was created by Dr Amy Twigger Holroyd, Professor of Alternative Fashion Systems at Nottingham School of Art & Design, primarily via her Fashion Fictions project. Fashion Fictions, which brings people together to imagine, explore and enact sustainable fashion systems, has engaged thousands of people in activities spanning six continents. The project was funded by a Research, Development and Engagement Fellowship from the Arts & Humanities Research Council from 2021 to 2023 and has also been supported by Nottingham Trent University’s Impact Accelerator Fund.

The Parallel Presents methodology has been successfully translated to various areas of focus, from topics such as food, media and housing to specific contexts such as multi-stakeholder workshops generating positive visions for the visual arts sector in Somerset and the garment sector in Leicester.
The methodology can be customised to suit different settings, with consideration for duration, participant positionality and intended outcomes.

I take an awareness of possibilities. I’m encouraged to imagine something better.