u-lab: Leading From the Emerging Future

Self-Paced Until May 30, 2026

Many of us feel that we want to be part of a different story - we just don’t know how. u-lab is all about the ‘how.’ - Otto Scharmer

This MOOC (Massive Open Online Course) run in partnership with MIT Learn is a self-paced program on the foundations of Theory U, a process for transformative change that blends systems thinking, consciousness and wisdom traditions, and civic action. It is a “learning by doing" program where you get familiar with Theory U tools, methods, and frameworks and start cultivating your ability to apply them to your life and work.

u-lab runs fully online.

Your u-lab journey is supported by two online spaces. This program is a partnership between MIT Learn and the u-school for Transformation.

On MIT Learn, you will find all of the course content and be guided through each of the five modules that make up u-lab. If you are pursuing a verified certificate from MIT Learn, this is also where you will track your work.

Here on u-school, you will connect with other participants, engage in dialogue, and access the tools and methods introduced in the course.

The u-lab course and all materials are available at no cost. The option exists to pursue a verified certificate from MIT Learn for a fee of $99. u-lab is part of all u-school for Transformation Certification Pathways. For the certification pathways, a verified certificate from MIT Learn is required.

To participate in this course, you must enroll on both platforms:

On u-school (by clicking the register button on this page)
And on MIT Learn

Prerequisites: none.

Change is happening really fast. The uncertainty, disruption, and complexity we currently face is accelerating rather than resolving and the path through the chaos to a regenerative future seems unclear.

Finding that path requires a journey to the root causes of society's dysfunction, in order to shift the dynamics underlying our systems. Through this journey we explore the questions:

How can we learn to lead in these times?
What are the skills, capacities, and resources that will support us?
Where are the individuals, groups, and organizations that we can connect and collaborate with?

u-lab supports change-makers globally with the tools, methods, and spaces to bring about meaningful transformations in the communities, organizations, and systems they care deeply about.

u-lab is now a free, self-paced program open until May 30, 2026. Each year, u-lab begins with an 8-week period of instructor-led sessions, during which participants can join live broadcasts from MIT and engage with our faculty team and community. Although this year’s live stage (Sep–Dec 2025) has ended, the course now includes all materials and recordings from that period, including:
- Kick-off call (September 11, 2025)
- Live Sessions 1–3 (September 25, October 23, and November 20, 2025)
- Optional Ask-Us-Anything sessions (October 9, November 6, and December 4, 2025)
The u-lab course and all materials are available at no cost. The option exists to pursue a verified certificate from MIT Learn for a fee of $99 (on MIT Learn, when clicking "Enroll Now" it will give you the option to choose the certificate or not).
The program is an introduction to a method called Theory U, developed at MIT, for leading change in business, government, and civil society contexts worldwide. It is run by Senior Lecturers at MIT, Senior Faculty and expert Practitioners from the u-school for Transformation (by Presencing Institute) who are actively engaged in cross-sectoral societal transformation.
This program has attracted around 200,000 enrollments from around the world, with over 185 countries represented, since its launch in 2015.
u-lab is an interactive program with live sessions and activities in self-organized local or interest-based hubs where prototype seeding can take place to activate the transformation that needs to happen at a community level.
Although this is a program in English, the community has been kindly volunteering to translate the materials in more and more languages, helping to remove language barriers.
The program focuses fully on the specific challenges of our current moment and on how to apply Theory U to the absencing patterns in our cultures and societies for a transformation that benefits all.
The program is free, thanks to the contributions of our partners and supporters who also believe that it is possible to create and scale profound societal innovation.
The program is part of the Pathways of Certification offered by the u-school for Transformation.

Important Note

Your u-lab journey is supported by two online spaces. To participate in this course, you must enroll on both platforms.

Here at u-school, you will connect with other participants, form a coaching circle, and access the tools and methods introduced in the course.
On MIT Learn, you will find all of the course content modules that make up u-lab.

Haven't registered yet on MIT Learn?

(Note: You will be taken outside the u-school platform)

For any questions, please write to: u-lab@presencing.org.

"u-lab is a life-changing experience. You will become more mindful of yourself, more connected with your inner sources of knowledge and wisdom, therefore more attuned and empathetic to others, and to the world. One of the most powerful questions I´ve found in u-lab is: What is the future that wants to emerge? What does that future require from me?"

"Theory U offers a safe container for systems change to unfold naturally. It invites us to move past analyzing, overthinking and controlling; into navigating change using our hearts, intuition and connections as a compass. It allows us to reach future realities that want to unfold. The magic: it always keeps us moving towards our highest potential. — I’m in again by the way!"

"It is a profound journey of transformation that begins within ourselves, connecting us to a new level of consciousness that facilitates accompanying others toward a state of wonderful co-creation, collaboration and flow."

"I had the privilege of experiencing this course in 2015 inperson in Cape Cod, Massachusetts, and later deepened my practice through two u-labs. For me, Theory U is a powerful way to truly listen to what reality is asking of organizations and teams. It’s about going down that curve to open the mind, open the heart, and open the will — and from there, respond with who we truly are and what we can genuinely contribute. This is especially relevant in today’s highly disruptive context, marked by what Theory U describes as several profound breakdowns. (...) Thank you all for so much received!!!"

"Learning to deeply listen to what is for collective discovery and exploration of what can be."

Q: Why does the course operate on two online spaces?

A: u-lab is offered in partnership with MIT Learn. In order to fully complete the u-lab course, you will need to navigate between 2 online spaces during the entire 8-week journey:

The MIT Learn platform where you will find the course content; and
The u-school for Transformation (by Presencing Institute) - this current website - where you will find the tools and community space.

With this two-platform approach, you will be able to benefit both from a MIT Learn certificate and our unique action learning tools.

Q: Do I need to create an account for two websites?

A: Yes, taking the u-lab course requires navigating two online spaces. Please note that this will entail creating an account on both the MIT Learn platform and the u-school for Transformation by Presencing Institute website to gain access to the areas you need for practicing and engaging. After the first login, it should be seamless to navigate between both platforms.

Q: Which website is used for what?

A: The MIT Learn platform is your reference point for:

All course material: instructions, modules, what to complete, videos, and handouts.
Subtitles in various languages.
Latest course announcements.

The u-school for Transformation by Presencing Institute website (this website) is your reference point for:

Sharing your reflections and journaling snippets on the Discussion Boards (chat).
Connecting with other participants, for instance through the Participants section, Chat, Hubs and Coaching Circles. If activated by the member, you have the option of Direct Messaging each other as well.
Practicing particular exercises, such as the Case Clinic method and the Listening Assessment.
Ask Us Anything (AUA) Office Hours (recorded video to answer participant questions and provide guidance along the way).

Q: How much time investment do I need to plan for?

A: The average time investment for u-lab is estimated to be 4-6 hours per week. However, unless you are on the verified certificate track (which comes with strict deadlines), the course is pretty much self-paced. Therefore, you could - in theory - spread those hours out over a longer period of time.

Factors to consider are:

Every module is different in terms of time investment.
Only the verified certificate track participants truly have deadlines to uphold.
Although we will hold live sessions to guide you through your experience during the 8 weeks, you can review all recordings and go through the course at your own pace till May 2026.
Material will remain available in both u-school and MIT Learn archives after the closing of the course.
We encourage you to prioritize those practices that feel most relevant to your context, time availability, and question/challenge.

Q: What is mandatory to complete in the course?

A: The course has several modules with a three-level structure:

Core content
Action Learning - for implementing the tools
Deepening - extra material (optional)

You can choose to do all or skip the levels you don't want to do. For certification, both Core Content and Action Learning levels are required.

u-lab has two stages: instructor-led and self-paced.

The instructor-led stage is guided by u-school and MIT faculty, offering live sessions from MIT that provide inspiration and direction for your learning and work. It also includes optional interactive Ask-Us-Anything sessions, where you can ask questions and engage with the community. This stage runs from September 26th to November 12th, 2024.

The self-paced stage means that no live support will be available from the u-school team, but you have the flexibility to learn at your own pace until May 2025. After that, the course will close, so keep this date in mind if you're aiming to earn your certificate.

We recommend that you join all live sessions, form hubs and coaching circles between September and beginning of December (as it might be harder to find people after that period), and take your time implementing the tools as it suits your group’s needs.

Q: Do I need to sign up for a verified certificate?

A: No. The u-lab course is meant to be offered for free and is accessible to anyone with an internet connection (provided the country you’re in allows access to the MIT Learn website). This option, however, does not come with a certificate.

Some people opt to pay for the verified certificate track to be able to demonstrate to others that they have completed the course. That is also required for the u-school for Transformation Certification Pathways. If you decide to register for a verified certificate, this comes with a fee ($99 USD) and a strict deadline for completion. If you do not complete 60% of the course before the deadline, you will not receive the certificate, even though you paid the fee. Therefore, please only opt for a certificate if you can follow through on your commitment.

Q: Can I decide to get the certificate later than the program start date?

A: Yes, you can take that decision till the course end date.

Q: What is the deadline for a verified certificate?

A: The deadline for completing at least 60% of the course for a certificate is the same as the course deadline. No certificates can be issued for submissions after that deadline.

Q: How are submissions for certificates assessed?

A: Your assignments for the course will not be graded or assessed in the traditional manner. There are no tests, exams, or quizzes. At the end of each graded module you will find a section called "Get Credit for your Work." In this section you will indicate what work you completed during the week.

The u-lab is pass/fail. You will need a 60% overall grade to pass and earn a certificate. Our grading system is completely on the honor code, which means that progress (completion of activities) is self-reported. Your progress is assessed only based on assignments completed, not on your interaction with the course materials. Your certificate will become available as soon as you've passed this 60% threshold.

Each week, there will be activities you can do to earn credit:

Core Content:

Watch the videos (10%)
Participate in a Live Session (10%)
Complete the Course Reading (10%)

Action Learning:

Participate in a Coaching Circle (30%)
Do the Core Practice for the Module (20%)
Complete the Listening Assessment (10%)
Engage in Reflection Exercise (10%)

Module 0 is orientation and will not be graded.

Modules 1-5 will each be worth 20% of your overall grade.

Module 6 is the closing session and will not be graded.

At the end of each graded module you will find a section called Get Credit For Your Work. In this section you will indicate what work you completed during the week. At the end of the course the MIT Learn platform will automatically calculate your grade based on the work you have reported.

Q: I can't attend the synchronous components of the course. Am I still allowed to join and have the possibility for a certificate?

A: Yes, you can watch the session recordings later and get your certificate till the course end date.

Q: I joined u-lab a past edition and chose to do a certificate path but I couldn’t finish it. Can I transfer the certificate payment I did in last edition to this one, or do I need to make a new payment to have the certificate?

A: Please write to u-lab@presencing.org with your request. Every case will be analyzed separately.

Q: Is all course content translated?

A: The course language is English. However, self-organized groups of volunteers, which we call "Language Communities" or "Language Hubs," have kindly offered their time to serve the community by translating the course content either fully or partially. They also provide support and answer questions in native languages.

If you wish to contribute to translations in your language and/or host a Language Community, please contact us at u-lab@presencing.org for more information.

2025