
Phoebe Tickell is a scientist, systems thinker, and social entrepreneur, widely recognised for her pioneering work on Moral Imagination and Imagination Activism - at the intersection of activism, governance innovation, regenerative design, imagination, ethics, and systemic change. As the founder of Moral Imaginations, she has developed groundbreaking methodologies that empower individuals, organisations, and communities to reimagine their roles in creating a more equitable, regenerative, and interconnected world, and embed these into new organisational governance structures. Through her work, Phoebe has redefined activism as a process fuelled by imagination and vision, coining the term “Imagination Activism” in 2022. Phoebe’s journey began in the sciences, with a degree in Biological Natural Sciences from Cambridge University. She started her career as a molecular biologist, researching genetic network engineering and biotechnologies at institutions like Imperial College London and the Scripps Institute. However, disillusioned by techno-solutionism, she shifted her focus to the root causes of the world’s challenges: governance, mindsets, and imagination. Her background in complexity science, coupled with her visionary thinking, has led her to become a sought-after advisor, speaker, and practitioner across sectors, from government to education to corporate innovation. Phoebe has been described as “the voice of the emerging future” and “one of the most important systems thinkers of her generation.” Her ability to combine theory with humour, ethics and imagination, activism and rigour, and the visionary and practical makes her a transformative presence in addressing the complex challenges of our time.
innerdevelopmentgoals.org
ehf.org
dgov.foundation
ac.uk
foresight.org
dartmouth.edu
London, England, United Kingdom
Founder and Executive Director, Imagination Activist
Moral Imaginations
• www.linkedin.com/company/moral-imaginations
Jun 2020 - Present
London, England, United Kingdom
Visiting Research Fellow and Co-Lead for the Nature Centric Catalyst
University of Reading
• www.linkedin.com/company/university-of-reading
Nov 2024 - Present
Teaching Faculty
New School of the Anthropocene
• www.linkedin.com/company/new-school-of-the-anthropocene
Jan 2024 - Present
London, England, United Kingdom
Philanthropy and Non-Profit Consultant
Phoebe Tickell Consulting
Feb 2021 - Present
London, England, United Kingdom
Edmund Hillary Fellow
Edmund Hillary Fellowship (EHF)
• www.linkedin.com/company/edmund-hillary-fellowship-ehf-
Jul 2019 - Present
Associate Lecturer
Schumacher College
• www.linkedin.com/company/schumacher-college
Nov 2016 - Nov 2024
Advisory Board
International Bateson Institute
Feb 2020 - Feb 2023
Stockholm, Stockholm County, Sweden
Course Development Manager
Fritjof Capra's Capra Course
Feb 2018 - Feb 2020
Berkeley, California, United States