Unearthodox by name, unorthodox by nature. We use systems thinking; diversity, equity and inclusion practices (co-creation); and futures thinking to inspire progressive and sometimes radical new concepts.
Our unique way of working supports innovators and philanthropists in developing transformative ideas. We combine the principles of systems thinking with those of futures thinking and extensive co-creation throughout the stages of our value chain: a process of ideation, incubation and acceleration.
Systems thinking acknowledges that relevant factors are all part of interlinked systems. Futures thinking explores alternative futures while acknowledging uncertainty. By applying methods from both systems and futures thinking, we can better understand the root causes of long-standing conservation problems, and identify solutions that change the way societies see themselves and their connection with nature.
Through co-creation, diversity, equity and inclusion are baked into everything we do at Unearthodox. Co-creation for us is a process of bringing together people with diverse and unorthodox experiences, knowledge systems and world views to surface knowledge and take action collectively. Bringing together different voices – particularly those of stakeholder communities – allows us to reframe dominant ways of thinking.
We recognise that innovation is not yet a level playing field, but we believe it can be. We strive to integrate changes that challenge our own field to do better and be more equitable. We know that change is hard, but we are focused on creating the trust needed to make it happen.
Bringing together different voices – particularly those of stakeholder communities – allows us to reframe dominant ways of thinking. The process only works with inquisitiveness, trust and mutual respect as a foundation. It must be slow and iterative, with plenty of time to listen and think.
Well-designed co-creation opens dialogues, strengthens transparency and builds networks. The results are a sense of shared ownership and buy-in, and a network of collaborators who are more likely to act on their findings.
Systems thinking is a way of seeing the world as fundamentally connected and interdependent, with unanticipated outcomes and linkages. Understanding the world as a set of interconnected systems allows us to spark change by examining and reimagining existing rules for how these systems work. The process begins by looking beyond an immediate fix to a longer-term transformation – from the way systems work today to the way we hope they could work in the future.
One of the fundamental practices of systems thinking is self-reflection – recognising that we are a part of any change, and being humble enough to realise that we ourselves must constantly change as well.
At Unearthodox, systems thinking forms an underpinning pillar of our approach to innovation, alongside co-creation and futures thinking. We integrate systems thinking into our innovation life cycle of ideation, incubation and acceleration, and constantly widen our networks and viewpoints through co-creative convenings.
The Art of Systems Change (2019) is the first book in a series, laying out a vision for creating systems change in an increasingly turbulent world. Written by a group of conservation practitioners including Melanie Ryan, Unearthodox’s CEO, the book kickstarted a critical discussion about how to create transformational change.
The Craft of Systems Change (2022) is the second book in the series and builds on the original concepts, introducing a guiding framework called the ‘Systems Journey’. Also co-authored by Melanie Ryan and edited by Senior Editorial and Content Manager, Megan Eaves, the book presents practical tools and tips, and a process for changing the systems in which we live and work.
Download both books for free.
Futures thinking is a process for considering potential futures by exploring current trends and evaluating what scenarios are possible, probable and preferable. At Unearthodox, we are guided by a suite of futures thinking practices, including the Three Horizons Approach.
The Three Horizons Approach was co-created by Bill Sharpe, an expert in futures techniques working with the International Futures Forum. It offers a simple but potentially effective way of examining current, dominant systems and their challenges (Horizon 1), a desired future state (Horizon 3) and innovations that can help achieve the future vision (Horizon 2).
The Three Horizons helps us examine urgent, complex challenges to nature conservation, and is used in many other fields such as energy policy, health care, rural development and financial services.
‘Strengthening futures capacity in Africa’
This report utilises futures thinking to explore different methods for imagining the many possible futures for Africa, and identifying the actions required to reach those futures.
‘Imagining transformative biodiversity futures’
This commentary, published in Nature Sustainability, offers three evocative scenarios of what the future of life on Earth might look like, aiming to spark conversations about the choices society makes for humanity and nature.
