2024 Practitioner Gathering

From May 5-8th, 2024 the Future of Labs had its first gathering at Hollyhock Retreat Centre on Cortes Island, British Columbia. At the gathering, we brought together some of the most experienced pioneers and innovators who steward and design collective problem-solving lab practices. This initial gathering served as a catalyst for shaping the next ten years of effective lab approaches and a rare chance to connect experienced lab leaders who share the common goal of creating more impactful practices. The resulting work supports more people and systems to get better at tackling some of the most wicked challenges our world is facing today. Through pre-gathering research with diverse lab practitioners from across Canada and beyond, and through thoughtfully designed workshops, we looked deeply into what’s been working, not working, and what could be the next practices that labs and lab practitioners need to consider and build.

To capture learning associated with the gathering we produced a primer document, 3 podcasts to make knowledge sharing more inclusive, and a final after gathering report. These knowledge artifacts aim to help local, national and practitioners around the world to strengthen their practices as well as help funders and enablers of lab practice to better evaluate lab proposals. You can view them below.

Who this gathering was for

Seasoned practitioners who have designed and led lab processes. To explore the future of labs, there is a need to more deeply understand the past. To ensure harvesting of insights from seasoned practitioners, this gathering focused on inviting diverse and experienced individuals who have navigated the complexities of lab practices more than once. Although they weren’t the majority, there were also enablers and funders of labs, both as sponsors of the gathering and those who have an interest in strengthening lab practice to be more impactful. 

Think pieces and provocations

Below you will find think pieces and provocations, inspired by the event and its ongoing impact, written by individuals and groups who participated in the Future of Labs gathering.

Possibility Space Webinar hosted by Social Innovation Canada

This webinar explores insights and recommendations from the Future of Labs final report. Hear from lab practitioners and changemakers about how social innovation labs can shape the next decade of systems change.
Watch here

Sam Rye's Reflections on the Gathering

In this four-part blog series, Sam Rye reflects on the Future of Labs gathering, sharing key takeaways about what’s working, what’s not, and where labs can go next.
Read Part 1: Foundations
Read Part 2: Reflections
Read Part 3: Report & Explorations
Read Part 4: The Language of Labs

Marlieke Kieboom's Blog Post: Shi(f)t for Humanity, Compost for Change

Marlieke reflects on the transformative role labs can play in creating regenerative change. She explores themes of self-reflection, relational practices, and learning to compost old systems to build something new.
Read the blog post

The Unregulators Comic by Alex Ryan and Keren Perla

This clever comic takes a lighthearted look at the quirks and contradictions of lab work, offering humour and insight into the challenges of systemic change.
View the comic

Brent Wellsch’s Blog Post: The Future of Labs and the Power of Co-Learning and Visioning with Fellow Practitioners

Brent Wellsch, Community Innovation Practice Lead at Urban Matters, reflects on key insights from the Future of Labs gathering. He explores how social innovation labs can drive change, foster collaboration, and create the conditions needed for lasting impact.

Read the blog post