Upcoming Events
NOVEMBER
Maximizing Human Potential & Imagination in the Age of AI and Uncertainty
This talk will explore the symbiotic connection between imagination and human flourishing from an interdisciplinary perspective, discussing the strong positive impact of imagination on the mind and body. A more balanced pedagogical approach — rooted in human and technical skills — in higher education is introduced as needed to equip students with the mindset and the capabilities to embrace the unknown, combine imagination with depth of knowledge, and optimistically lead sustainable change.
Centre for Cultural and Creative Industries Events
Online Talk – November 4, 2026
OCT-NOV
Being Human: How to Reclaim Agency & Flourish in Uncertain Times
6-Week Online Course
Modern systems and capitalism are eroding humanity. We live disconnected from ourselves, others, and the planet. How can we build a stronger sense of self? How can we cultivate the conditions for change and the foundations for a better way to live? This course will strengthen your human capabilities and equip you with skills to stop living in autopilot. You will restore the confidence to make choices and engage with technology responsibly without giving away your identity.
School of Radical Imagination
Live Course – Online – Global. October-November, 2026
OCTOBER
Shifting Systems Awareness: Inner work and human skills for authentic engagement Workshop
To make the most of pluralism in real-world settings, inner transformation has become a prerequisite for systemic designers to unlearn inherited assumptions and shift their mindset to appreciate different worldviews, cultures, and experiences. This workshop will draw attention to the importance of inner work for systemic designers and offer techniques to guide practitioners to deepen self-awareness, uncover internal barriers, and embrace human skills.
5th Relating Systems Thinking and Design Symposium
RSD15 Paper Talks – Online Workshop
October, 2026
SEPTEMBER
Strengthening Imagination in Anticipatory Processes from the Inside Out
Imagination sits at the root of anticipatory processes. Much attention has been placed on understanding the role of external barriers in the process, but little work has focused on uncovering more about internal barriers. This talk discusses factors hindering the generation of societally transformative visions and proposes more deliberate training on human skills and self-awareness as a way to better support anticipatory processes.
Futures4Europe Conference
Talk. Rome, Italy. September 30, 2026
SEPTEMBER
Maximizing Human Potential in Times of AI and Uncertainty: Strategies to Empower Future Generations
This talk discusses the need for more deliberate training on human skills to better support and reinforce students’ careers, specifically focusing on imagination and optimism as crucial skills to students’ inner development and to build more human-led practices that generate positive future-oriented visions.
Universidad Autónoma Metropolitana & Universidad Iberoamericana (México City)
Talk. September, 2026
SEPTEMBER
Living with Imagination & Optimism: How to Cultivate Empowered Students
The goal of this 3-day workshop is to provide educators with the fundamental knowledge and strategies to teach students human skills, and to empower them to use their imagination intentionally, along with the practice of mindfulness to deepen their personal and emotional learning.
Universidad Autónoma Metropolitana (México City)
In-person workshop for educators.
September, 2026
SPRING 2027
Living with Imagination & Optimism
4-Week Online Course
Reclaim your imaginative powers by slowing down and self-reflecting, and learn how to identify and dismantle your internal barriers and integrate imagination into everyday life to strengthen well-being and create positive impact. Sitting at the intersection of psychology, neuroscience, and well-being, this course is an invitation to explore the symbiotic imagination and mind-body connection, as well as to discover what is getting in between us and reaching our potential.
School of Radical Imagination
Live Course – Online – Global. 2027
AUGUST
A Journey Within:How to Boost Imagination & Well-Being Workshop (3 CD Credits)
Integrating imagination training (rooted in inner discovery) in health practices can increase optimism and the quality of social connections, as well as provide the tools to think more positively about the future. Sitting at the intersection of psychology and well-being, this workshop explores imagination as a skill that can be developed and improved by first journeying inwards. Attendees will walk away with the tools to integrate and foster imagination in their practice.
Creativity and Madness Conference
ACCME | APA | ASWB | AMA PRA Category 1 Credit™
Online. On Demand
Discount Code: DRSHEILAPONTIS2026
JULY
The Myths, The Science & The Benefits: Understanding Imagination and Creativity Beyond the Arts Talk (1 CD Credit)
This talk discusses the need for more deliberate training on human skills to better support and reinforce postdoctoral education in medical fields. Imagination and creativity are positioned as central human skills to inner development and needed to build more human-led practices that nurture positive emotions in others. These abilities are discussed from an interdisciplinary perspective integrating philosophy, positive psychology, and neurocognitive science research.
Creativity and Madness Conference
ACCME | APA | ASWB | AMA PRA Category 1 Credit™
Online. Thursday July 30, 2026 – 12-1pm EST
Discount Code: DRSHEILAPONTIS2026
Past Events
Living with Imagination & Optimism Workshop
This workshop is an invitation to reclaim your imaginative powers by slowing down, playing, and co-creating brighter, hopeful futures. You will learn techniques to deliberately tap into your imagination, and reimagine your relationships with yourself, with the community, and with the world. Living with imagination will inspire you every day in all aspects of life, bring happiness and joy, making you more resilient and optimistic.
BCYF Roslindale Community Center
Boston, MA. 2026
Rest, Reflection and
Well-Being Workshop
The New Year is traditionally a time to rest, recover and reflect on goals, values, habits and routines. This hands-on workshop will invite participants to reflect on their own well-being, drawing on methodologies from design futures, positive psychology and mindfulness. Come ready to playfully engage in imagining your next 300 days using evidence-based tools for increased self-awareness and inner growth.
Center for Design Conversations Series.
Northeastern University. This event was hybrid.
Wednesday, January 21, 2026 @ 12:00 — 1:30 pm
Pure Imagination! Workshop
In this workshop, attendees learned the science behind imagination and the main barriers. They practiced a range of techniques to identify their own barriers and strategies to overcome them, gained confidence imagining individually and collaboratively, and experienced its positive effects. Attendees walked away feeling hopeful and empowered to use their imagination in their daily life and at work.
Roslindale Branch of the Boston Public Library
Boston, MA. January 15, 2026
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