Thinking Space
our Work
Approach
Drawing on philosophical methods and concepts, Thinking Space stimulates, supports and sustains public philosophy projects – especially within communities facing disadvantage.
Our philosophers support children and adults from diverse backgrounds to explore the issues that matter most to them, in partnership with the organisations that know them best.
Our participants and partners develop their critical and creative thinking alongside the confidence needed to communicate more clearly.
​
Ethos
Philosophy is often understood as a canon of great ideas, but our emphasis is on philosophy as an activity, something we practise together. With the right support, the educational and social benefits of philosophising are open to everyone and we are committed to creating the conditions for this to happen.
In a climate of significant educational, social, economic and environmental stress, philosophical conversation might seem like a luxury rather than a necessity, but we see things differently. When we think better, we learn better and we live better too. It all starts by making space to think.
​
Founder
Dr Grace Lockrobin
BA (Hons) MA, PhD, FHEA
Founder, MD, Senior Practitioner
Grace is a philosophy teacher, trainer, facilitator, scholar and advocate. Over the last twenty years – through her many projects in the places people live, learn, work and play – she has enjoyed philosophical conversations with thousands of thinkers of all ages, backgrounds and levels of experience. Through her workshops, training, talks and writing, she has shared her thinking and practice nationally and internationally.
Working in the community, she founded Thinking Space in 2008. She is also an accredited trainer with SAPERE, now Thoughtful and Dialogue Works, a specialist with The Philosophy Foundation, a contributor to P4C.com and a board member of the European network SOPHIA.
She was previously a Teaching Fellow at the University of Leeds where she ran ‘Philosophy Exchange’ – a project that brings together philosophy students, teachers and children in weekly philosophical enquiry. She has also consulted with other UK universities, helping to set up similar programmes. Grace was awarded a PhD in Philosophy of Education at UCL Institute of Education on ethics, education and aesthetics, funded by an Economic and Social Research Council (ESRC) doctoral award.
Grace lives in Sheffield with her husband and two young sons.
People
Between 2015 and 2022, Thinking Space worked with a wonderful group of associate practitioners and patrons. You can find out about some of them here. Since 2022, when she took over as Co-Director of Thoughtful and became very busy, Grace only occasionally delivers Thinking Space projects and for the most part, she does this work independently.
Amanda Fulford
Amanda is our Patron and an honorary member of Thinking Space having collaborated on various public philosophy and academic projects, including our latest book.
She was previously a Professor of Philosophy of Education at Edge Hill University.
Ellie
Hart
Ellie is a Philosopher, Project Manager, Facilitator and Trainer for Thinking Space and is one of our founding members.
She previously studied philosophy as a postgraduate and went on to work in Public Engagement at the University of Bristol.
Emma
Swinn
Emma is a Non-Executive Director of Thinking Space guiding our vision and strategy.
Emma was Co-CEO
of the Philosophy Foundation, work that earned her an MBE in 2020.
She now co-leads Thoughtful with Grace.
SOpHIE COLLINS
Sophie is a Philosopher, Project Manager and Facilitator, joining Thinking Space as a founder member.
Having studied philosophy at university, she now also works in sex and relationships education for Book and in policy at University of Salford Students' Union.
Aaron Meskin
Aaron is our Patron and an honorary member of Thinking Space, having collaborated on various public philosophy and academic projects including our latest book.
He is also a department Head and Professor of Aesthetics at the University of Georgia.
Partners
