Exploding the University is a Summer School for people interested in design’s critical, social and political potential.

Founded on the principles of friendship, it is an experimental space for collaborative learning and exchange.

Inspired by the history of radical learning and informal education. From Greenham Common to Bauhaus, Black Mountain College to the Black Panther Movement, Bristol Construction School to the Workers’ Education Movement. Its long-term aim is to create a community of designers who come together occasionally.

The name is an ode to Colin Ward’s writings on learning; his ideas on the environment as an educational resource, the enquiring school and the school (or university) without walls.

Exploding the University is a project by Conway and Young in collaboration with Mellisa Thompson, Dr Kiff Bamford, Jo Hassall, Ben Hall and Dr Liz Stirling.

2016’s Summer School was supported by the University of the West of England, and Leeds Beckett University. 

Website built by Jack Wells.