Regenerative Economics

MA | PGDip | PGCert

overview

  • This course is at the forefront of new economic thinking, drawing upon diverse disciplines including psychology, anthropology and living system design
  • Gain a refined understanding of economics, together with tools, methodologies and communication skills to incorporate into your future career

duration

MA: 1 year FT, 2 years PT.
Other routes are available – see ‘Learning Pathways’

department

start date: september

Term dates: 2022-23

Term Dates

Autumn Term: Monday 12 September – Friday 16 December 2022
Winter Term: Monday 9 January – Friday 31 March 2023
Spring Term: Monday 24 April – Friday 30 June 2023
Dissertation Deadline: Tuesday 15 August 2023

Onsite Teaching Weeks

12- 16 September 2022: Welcome Week (at Schumacher College)
19 – 30 September 2022 Module 1 (Residential Weeks at Schumacher College)
7 – 18 November 2022: Module 2 (Residential Weeks at Schumacher College or online)
9 – 20 January 2023: Module 3 (Residential Weeks at Schumacher College)
27 February – 10 March 2023: Module 4 (Residential Weeks at Schumacher College)

Term dates: 2023-24

Term Dates

Autumn Term: Monday 11 September – Friday 15 December 2023
Winter Term: Monday 8 January – Friday 5 April 2024
Spring Term: Monday 29 April – Friday 5 July 2024
Dissertation Deadline: 13 August 2024

Module dates

Module 1
Welcome week: Monday 11th – Friday 15th September
Residential weeks: Monday 18th September – Friday 29th September
Online weeks: Monday 2nd October – Friday 21st October
Reading week: Monday 23rd- Friday 27th October
Assignment deadline: Tuesday 31st October

Module 2
Residential weeks: Monday 6th November – Friday 17th November
Online weeks: Monday 20th November – Friday 8th December
Reading week: Monday 11th – Friday 15th December
Assignment deadline: Tuesday 19th December

Module 3
Residential weeks: Monday 8th January – Friday 19th January
Online weeks: Monday 22nd January – Friday 9th February
Reading week: Monday 12th – Friday 16th February
Assignment deadline: Tuesday 20th February

Module 4
Residential weeks: Monday 26th February – Friday 8th March
Online weeks: Monday 11th March – Thursday 28th March
Reading week: Monday 2nd April – Friday 5th April
Assignment deadline: Thursday 11th April

Learning pathways

Our degree programmes are designed to suit the complexities of modern life, allowing you to live where you live and work where you work, whilst studying the subject you are passionate about as a member of our wide-reaching learning community.

Some qualifications are offered part-time – these are indicated below.

To get the most out of their course and of being part of our learning community, many students choose a fully immersive experience for the residential taught periods of their course, staying on our stunning 1,200 campus on the banks of the River Dart with full board accommodation.

MAster's (ft/pt; 180 credits)

Regenerative Economics is a low-residency programme with 4 x 30-credit modules and 1 x 60-credit Dissertation or Final Project module.

The course is available full time over one year or over two years.

On the two-year pathway students complete modules 1, 2 and 3 in Academic Year 1, and module 4 and the dissertation in Academic Year 2 for the full Master’s.

Postgraduate Diploma (ft/pt; 120 credits)

A full-time (1 year) or part-time programme (2 years, UK students only) with 4 x 30 credit modules. Students taking the full-time option will study all four modules during the first two terms. On the two year pathway students take modules 1, 2 and 3 in academic year 1, and module 4  in academic year 2.

Postgraduate Certificate (60 credits)

A full-time programme with 2 x 30 credit modules. Students will study both modules during term one.

single module only (30 credits)

Modules from this course can be studied on a standalone basis, with 30 credits allocated per module.

To apply for the accredited single module option, apply in the usual way, selecting the ‘Single Module’ option during the application process. Our admissions team will then get in touch to confirm which module you wish to study.

Short course (unaccredited)

For some courses, we offer parts of modules for study in the format of unaccredited short courses. Please see here to find out more, or email shortcourses@dartington.org for details.

course content

MA Regenerative Economics challenges and offers alternative perspectives to mainstream economics programmes by looking through the lens of ecology, as if both people and planet mattered equally.

The programme adopts an interrogative approach, exploring diverse global economic philosophies and models. The low-residency structure of this programme enables professionals to combine work and study.

On this course, you’ll explore alternative economic models, many of which were once considered marginal but could now help us radically rethink our existing economic systems. What changes are needed to make our societies more resilient in the face of climate change, biodiversity loss and our reliance on fossil fuels and to address financial instability, food insecurity and poverty?

In recent years we have seen huge political and social upheaval around the globe, bringing our societies to a critical point which now calls for a new way of economic thinking. Schumacher College has developed a reputation for pioneering radical new thinking, attracting leading international teachers, practitioners and activists. Our economics programme has inspired and supported numerous organisations and people in their endeavours to achieve a more sustainable and equitable world.

We continue to maintain our partnership with the Business School at the University of Plymouth.

Hosted by highly respected radical economists and complemented by an international visiting faculty of teachers and practitioners, this programme offers the opportunity to join those at the forefront of new ecological, economic thinking.

Schumacher College and its founder, Satish Kumar, were recently awarded the RSA 2023 Bicentenary Medal for an “outstanding, regenerative and impactful contribution ….. enabling people, places and planet to flourish in harmony.”

 

Skills you’ll gain on this course

  • develop an understanding of how living system design principles can be applied in the socio-economic realm – in short how we can ecologise economy rather than economising ecology
  • co-create theoretical principles for a new approach to economics – exploring what a post-growth economy might look like and charting pathways to get there
  • work alongside new economy pioneers in the creation and refinement of qualitatively new, mission-based enterprises and other economic structures
  • develop the capacity to communicate complex ideas, problems and solutions to both specialist and non-specialist audiences
  • explore new economic systems and behaviours not just in abstract theory, but as an engaged participant using head, heart and hands
  • enhance your skills as a researcher in the domain of new economics

programme structure & modules

This MA programme consist of 5 modules (4 taught and 1 dissertation module). If you are taking the residential option, the first 2 weeks of each taught module are timetabled teaching periods, where you must live on site (or nearby) and participate in the learning community. So there are 4 two-week periods, spread across 7 months.

The remaining 4 months are the dissertation research and writing period. You may choose to return home for the duration of the dissertation, and will no longer be sponsored by us for your Tier 4 visa.

Outside of the two-week periods, international students (only) may request accommodation and full board onsite at Dartington for terms 1 and 2: this would require you to participate in the learning community activities. Alternatively you can opt to live nearby or anywhere in the UK and travel to and from Dartington when required. We now also offer a fully online pathway.

We have a limited number of residential places available for international students. Apply as early as possible and select the accommodation option on the application form.

Module One: Ecology and Economy (30 credits)

In the first week of the module, strong emphasis will be placed on the creation of the learning community and the development of personal and group inquiry practices. Introductory sessions will be held on the key areas of holistic science to be covered in more depth during the home study period along with initial individual and group enquiries into how these may translate into the socio-economic sphere.

Module Two: Beyond Growth (30 credits)

We will provide an overview of both the history of economic thought and of heterodox approaches to the discipline from various traditions. An introductory overview will be provided to the growth dynamics within our current economic deign. Sessions will be given on future scenarios planning.

Module Three: Regenerative Enterprise (30 credits)

Teaching during this module will be focused on identifying research projects on which students will work collaboratively during the remainder of this module. It is likely that some of these projects will emerge from initiatives in which the students are already engaged and others will be proposed and co-created by college faculty. We will also look at presentations on relevant new economy case study materials from around the world as well as introductions to relevant research orientations and methodologies.

Module Four: Changing The Frame (30 credits)

You will begin with an introduction to the psychological and neuroscientific foundations of our cognitive processes. The power of verbal and visual metaphors and narrative frames will be explored with case study reference to both effective an ineffective communication strategies. Special emphasis will be laid on the use of language to radically change individual, group and societal understanding at an ontological level.

Dissertation (60 credits)

The dissertation enables students to pursue a Regenerative Economics project of their own interest, or an academic essay interrogating the further evolution of Regenerative Economics theory and practice.

entry requirements

Qualification(s) required for entry to the MA

BA/BSc (Honours) Degree A first degree
Where the first degree is not a 2.1, or in an unrelated subject, further support of the application or experience may be required.

Other non-standard awards or experience
A willingness engage with the field of Regenerative Economics. Candidates will be considered with prior credited learning and prior experiences subject to interview.* Candidates will be considered with appropriate APL (UoP Regs) subject to interview.

Interview requirements
All applicants are required to attend an interview, either at the College or online. During the interview we will look for: evidence of intellectual clarity during interview; a clearly formulated purpose for taking the course; focused interests and a clear understanding of the ethos and philosophy of the College; readiness and ability to live and work in a communal setting.

*For further information please contact our admissions team at admissions@dartington.org.

fees

 For full details on our fees, plus information about scholarships, student loans and bursaries, click here.

This programme is eligible for Chevening Scholarships for international students. Find out more via this link

 

staff

Ruth Potts

Ruth Potts

ruth.potts@dartington.org

Ruth Potts is head of our Regenerative Economics programme. She is a researcher, facilitator, artist and activist who also works on the Green New Deal in the office of Caroline Lucas MP.

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Jay Tompt

Jay Tompt

jay.tompt@schumachercollege.org.uk

Jay is a Lecturer for Regenerative Economics. He is also a co-founder of the Totnes REconomy Project, and associate lecturer in economics at Plymouth University.

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Guest lectures

Maria Balaska

Maria Balaska

Maria is the author of Wittgenstein and Lacan at the limit: meaning, and astonishment, and editor of Cora Diamond on Ethics.

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Alan-Boldon

David Bollier

David Bollier is Director of the Reinventing the Commons Program at the Schumacher Center for New Economics in the U.S.

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Malé Luján Escalante

Malé Luján Escalante

Malé is a Senior Lecturer in the Design School at London College of Communication, teaching on the MA Service Design course and is the acting as the Design School Knowledge Exchange Coordinator.

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Jayati Ghosh

Jayati Ghosh

Professor Jayati Ghosh is one of the world’s leading economists. She taught economics at Jawaharlal Nehru University, New Delhi for nearly 35 years, and has been Professor of Economics at the University of Massachusetts Amherst, USA since January 2021.

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Cesar Hidalgo

Cesar Hidalgo

César is a Chilean-Spanish-American scholar known for his contributions to economic complexity, data visualisation, and applied artificial intelligence.

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Alan-Boldon

Rob Hopkins

Rob Hopkins is the co-founder of Transition Network and of the Transition movement. He is very embedded in initiatives in Totnes, Devon, such as Atmos Totnes and New Lion Brewery.

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Charmian Love

Charmian Love

Charmian is the Global Director of Advocacy at Natura & Co.

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Ashish Kothari

Ashish Kothari

Ashish Kothari began working on environment and development issues in his schooldays, and is one of the founders of the environmental action group Kalpavriksh.

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Sarah McKinley

Sarah McKinley

Sarah McKinley is director of community wealth building programs for The Democracy Collaborative.

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Pat McCabe

Pat McCabe / Woman Stands Shining

Woman Stands Shining, Pat McCabe, has the honor of being of the Dine (Navajo) Nation.

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Ann Pettifor

Ann Pettifor

Ann Pettifor is a political economist with a focus on finance and sovereign debt.

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Alan-Boldon

Anne Price

Anne has spent 20 years in the public sector working in a wide range of areas including child welfare, hunger, welfare reform, workforce development, community development and higher education.

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Juliet Schor

Anne Price

Juliet Schor is an economist and sociologist at Boston College.
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Alan-Boldon

Juliet Schor

Juliet Schor is an economist and sociologist at Boston College.
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Jason Singh

Jason Singh

Jason Singh is a composer, musician, sound artist, creative producer, facilitator and performer.

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Troy Vain

Dr Troy VIne

Troy Vine holds a PhD in particle physics at University College London with research undertaken at the Fermi National Accelerator Laboratory, near Chicago.

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careers

Graduates leave to work in:

  • Start-ups and local enterprises
  • Community organisations
  • NGOs: especially those tackling climate emergency
  • Ethical Business: making systems more sustainable and socially just
  • Economics: analysing how markets responds to various stressors
  • Education: teaching in a multi-disciplinary setting

alumni stories

Julian Lang

Lúcio Proença

Ministry of the Environment, Brazil

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Nicholas Bekart

Nicholas Bekart

Co-founder, La Ferme de Froidfontaine

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Rob Shorter

Rob Shorter

Communities Lead, Doughnut Economics Action Lab

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Yannick Beaudoin

Yannick Beaudoin

Director-General, David Suzuki Foundation

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Francisco Grau

Francisco Grau

Project-lead and Systems Thinker, nangu.eco

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Ying Liang

Ying Liang

Co-founder, Schumi Learning Garden

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Chris Tittle

Chris Tittle

Director of Land and Housing Justice, Sustainable Economies Law Center

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Anat Haas

Anat Haas

Project manager – revitalising places & economies

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Nick Loosely

Nick Loosely

Founder and General Manager, Everybody Eats

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Della Duncan

Della Duncan

Author and ‘Renegade Economist’

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Sho Takano

Sho Takano

Community Development Project leader

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Yuv Stal

Yuv Stal

Founding Partner and of Impact, Value Squared

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Eliza Hostin

Eliza Hostin

Sustainability Consultant and Facilitator

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