New Schumacher Foundation:

A Transdisciplinary Course for Our Times

The New Schumacher Foundation course takes participants on a transformative learning journey, to help deepen their ability to address complex ecological and social challenges.

This unique course is founded upon an exciting transdisciplinary and convivial pedagogy. A foundation which, on the one hand, has long, deep roots, nourished by over 30 years of holistic educational heritage. On the other hand, this course has been forged in an alchemical cauldron of crisis; forcing deep reflection, experimentation, boldness, and innovation. In responding to these complex, uncertain times  - from within our own lives and in the world more broadly - the faculty has been endeavouring to bring forth a learning experience that seeks dynamically to respond to the needs of a world in crisis while respecting the unique gifts and lived experience of participants. We seek to do this without collapsing learning activities into a single field or discipline, without reifying abstractions, or restricting the notion of truth to a handful of authorities, experts or a privileged few. 

The result is the New Schumacher Foundation course; a wild experiment in learning together, from our pasts and possible futures, and with the dynamic living world around us, human and more-than-human.

COURSE DATES: 28 April - 15 August , Symposium: October (date tbc) 

COURSE STRUCTURE: 

3 x 5-week modules (2 weeks in-person, 3 weeks online)

Module 1: Encounters

- Experiencing dynamic ways of being

28 April – 30 May

 (residential weeks: 28 April – 9 May) 

The Sharpham Estate, Devon, UK

Module 2: Dialogues

- Connecting with place & people

9 June- 4 July 

(Residential weeks : 9- 20 June)

River Dart Valley, Devon, UK

Module 3: Inter-actions

- Learning from & creating with others

14 July – 15 August 

(Residential weeks: 15 July – 26 July)

Embercome & Coombe Farm Studios, Devon, UK

Why join this course?

To take part in a process of holistic, transdisciplinary learning, in community. This learning journey aims to go further and deeper than traditional forms of higher education, by combining diverse starting points for reflection and action, and integrating many ways of ‘knowing’. For example, reuniting economics with poetry, connecting craft with philosophy, and relating embodiment to activism, whilst exploring through nature observation, writing, walking, dialogue, imagination, art, poetics, or play. Why? Because if what we are living through in these times is a ‘polycrisis’, our response must be polyvocal. We must learn to listen to, to speak with, and to cherish many voices. If ecocide is looming, it cannot merely be countered, it must be outfoxed: by calling forth creative responses across all fields of knowledge, ways of seeing, kinds of making and modes of being. 

Course Structure

The programme consists of three 5-week modules. Each module begins with two residential weeks followed by three weeks of online teaching and discussion sessions. 

This is a low-residency programme. During our time spent together in-person on the first two-weeks of each module, conversations between subjects and disciplines will occur in an atmosphere of openness and conviviality. We believe that a warm and welcoming communal environment is essential for new ideas and creative actions to emerge. In the weeks between our in-person residentials we will remain connected online. During these, time, space and support will be given to thoroughly processing, digesting and further activating our learning, in place and in context. 

In both our in-person and online learning spaces our tutors bring qualities of openness, commitment and rigour and, in doing so, hope to bring forth a container in which deep learning can be born out of radical surprise, individually and collectively.

Currently, the first module is offered as a stand-alone. It is possible to take Module One in the first year and Module Two and Three in later iterations of the program.

Our Teachers

  • Satish Kumar

  • Dr Rachel Sweeney

  • Dr Emma Kidd

  • Mona Nasseri

  • Jay Tompt

  • Dr Valentin Gerlier

  • Dr Emma Bush

  • Prof Roberto Fraquelli

  • Alice Oswald

  • Dr Andy Letcher

Read Bios

Frequently asked questions

  • We welcome applications from individuals with all educational and career backgrounds. This course is designed for those who are passionate about ecological and social well-being and committed to driving positive change. Whether your background is in arts, literature, engineering, design or you are an entrepreneur, manager or in the leadership position, if you dream of creating regenerative and just cultures, If you aspire to transform our current reality into the world your heart knows is possible, this course is for you.

  •  Under 6 months

  • Check course outline for fee structure here

  • Undergraduate qualification or relevant experience

    • Complete the expression of interest form (see link above).

    • Upon receiving it, we'll contact you with an application form

    • If your application meets the criteria, you will be invited for an interview.

    • Following a successful interview, you will receive an offer of admission.

  • Unaccredited Professional Development

  • There is an expectation to present a form of reflective, sense-making work that demonstrates learnings from the module in relation to the student’s professional context. Additionally, there will be an opportunity to present the final project in a symposium after completing the teaching modules.

  • This is a low-residency programme consisting of 3 modules, each five-week long. The first two weeks of each module are in person, and the following three weeks are online.

    The residential weeks are immersive and include learning experiences through head, hands and heart in most mornings, afternoons, and evenings. After that, there will be one teaching session and one-to-one tutorial per week for three weeks. 

  •  28 April 2025

  • The final project will be presented in a symposium. Students can choose the style and medium of presentation that best suits their subject.

  • See teachers bios here