All day workshop | 10 November 2026 | London
OA Academy Project Day
Our biannual experiential learning, networking and impact event – all focused around exciting and ambitious social impact ventures.
People Make Places
How culture, community and design shape thriving futures
Join leading thinkers, practitioners, researchers, designers, cultural organisations and change-makers for a day of ideas, collaboration and action exploring the future of inclusive, resilient and thriving places.
The event takes place at Compressor House, Royal Docks, one of London's most significant regeneration locations, and forms part of a growing international conversation that will continue in New York in March 2027.
A full day programme drawing on projects in and around The Royal Docks, as well as OA projects including Climate Resilient Heritage and the £1 Billion* Initiative.
Connecting people, projects, ideas and organisations to drive positive social impact. A stepping stone towards the first international OA Academy event being planned for New York City in March 2027.
Delivered with the support of:
Event details
Price
£25-120
Date and time
Tues, 10 Nov 2026
09:30 – 17:00
Location
Big Fridge
Compressor House
1020 Dockside Road
London
E16 2QU
Our speakers and contributors
Aki Carpernter
National Board President of SEGD and co-founded the BIPOC Directors Collective
Adala Leeson
Head of Social and Economic Research at Historic England
Jess Ihejetoh
Arts and Heritage Producer at Oxford House
Gee Sinha
Founder of ReSpace and the Alliance
Laura Pye
Director of National Museums Liverpool
David Watson
Technical Director at AKT II
LionHeart
Associate Artist of The Royal Albert Hall, Artist in Residence at 180 The Strand
Marc Buchner
Founder CEO of Enver
Armor Gutiérrez Rivas
RIBA Senior Lecturer & Principal Investigator at University of East London
Rumi Bose
Founder Director Rumi Bose Ltd.
Jane Gibson
Commissioner of Historic England, Chair of the Hadrian’s Wall World Heritage Site
Alison Lowe
Director of Creative Futures Community CIC
Jonny Gordon-Farleigh
CEO of Stir to Action & 21st Century Social Clubs
Freya Bruce
Head of Material Systems at YesMake
Silvie Jacobi
Organizational development and researcher
Network
Connect with a diverse community of practitioners, researchers, cultural leaders, designers, policymakers and change makers
Inspiration
Hear from leading thinkers, practitioners and organisations exploring the future of our communities and cities.
Learn
Explore case studies and insights rooted in the lived realities of London and the Royal Docks.
Participate
Work with experts and peers to develop ideas that could help shape the future of the Royal Docks
Collaborate
Participate in meaningful cross-sector and inter-disciplinary work across sectors and geographies
