Latest thinking

Chatting to the neighbours: makes us happier, saves lives, comes to the rescue when we lose our keys

Blog

20 Mar 2014

Matthew Parsfield

At about 7.30am last Thursday I heard a tentative knock on my front door.

I like it. What is it?

Blog

10 Feb 2014

Gaia Marcus

Image by Anthony Burril. www.anthonyburrill.com

There's more to shops than shopping

Blog

14 Jan 2014

Jonathan Schifferes

While several retailers sit reflecting on a disappointing Christmas trading period, 2014 promises to buzz with excitement about online, mobile and social network tools to get you to buy things. We've heard plenty about the 'death of the High Street'; its time to contemplate the future of the 'big box' out-of-town superstores in the online era. Shops are about more than shopping, their advantage remains face-to-face interaction. Retailers need to make physical stores community hubs to entice shoppers, appease a restless public, and help a stretched public sector.

Creative Connecting: the Magic Bullet?

Blog

07 Jan 2014

Gaia Marcus

"It's almost as if there is this magic bullet that we all know about but [that is hard to] implement in public policy ... the people around you completely condition how well you do in life, what you end up doing and how well you are feeling"

Connecting space, place and democracy at the Library of Birmingham

Blog

03 Dec 2013

This is a guest blog from RSA Catalyst supported West Midlands Fellow John Blewitt.  He reflects on the impact of Catalyst and the new Library of Birmingham on his work to connect spaces and people with democratic actions.

A Question of Confidence?

Blog

28 Oct 2013

Alexandra Barker

 “The main dangers in this life are the people who want to change everything...or nothing.” - Viscountess Nancy Astor, the first woman to be seated in the British Parliament

Smartphones make us dumb

Blog

26 Sep 2013

Jonathan Schifferes

Did you see the one about Apple Maps mistakenly directing people to drive across the runway at an Alaskan Airport? The coverage provides an indication of how much we’ve outsourced our intelligence to our smartphones, and how we are likely to erode our own intelligence as a result.

FRSA London and the Fellows Artists Network: Reboot and the Jubiloo

Blog

06 Sep 2013

This is a guest blog by Mark Power FRSA. Mark is an architect and a member of the Fellows Artists Network.

Join a history of enlightened thinking

Blog

20 Aug 2013

Alexandra Barker

What do you say to people when you talk about the RSA? Do you mention a great lecture you’ve seen, a Fellow you’ve met or perhaps share an animate online? It’s easy when you’ve got an example but sometimes when you’re on the spot, it can be difficult to in articulate all the many aspects of the RSA’s work. It’s a multi-layered, multifaceted organisation that is governed from a huge house which can feel like a bit of a labyrinth -  so where do you begin?