u-school Programs
The u-school for Transformation offers action-oriented learning experiences structured as both live and self-paced programs. Our curriculum blends systems thinking, action learning, social arts, awareness-based practices and multi-sector learning and collaboration.
The theory and practice of Theory U and how to apply it to shifting your system.
Innovative techniques, combining multiple sources of intelligence (head, heart, hand) to identify the deeper dynamics and leverage points for systems change.
Awareness practices that allow individuals and groups to sense the emerging future and to gain clarity and confidence for action.
Social arts methods and tools that offer new insights and shift the social fields within groups and institutions.
Practices for turning ideas into action through prototyping, experimentation and learning by doing.
Leadership skills that support you in navigating complexity, activating the commitment and capacity for action in teams, and shifting entrenched institutions toward their highest potential future.
Build your own learning pathway for a certification of your choice.
Our Programs
What programs do we offer to build the essential foundations for awareness-based systems change? Choose the programs that most support you and your work.
Theory U and Presencing
- u-lab 0x: a free self-paced short overview of Theory U.
- Meet Theory U: an interactive introduction to the U as a process, framework and method - for teams and organizations.
- u-lab 1x: a free 14-week MOOC on the basics of Theory U frameworks, tools and methods, and how to apply them to the most pressing challenges of our time.
- Theory U Presencing Foundation Program | Leading from the Emerging Future: From Ego to Eco: an intensive program with the introduction to Theory U and Presencing framework, tools and methods, and how to apply it to your own context.
- Ecosystem Leadership Program | Modules 1-3: It is a regional enabling infrastructure to activate personal and collective awareness-based transformation and impact. The program is structured as a two-year cycle of 3 modules.
- u-lab 2x: a free 4-month innovation journey to help teams, organizations and larger networks to bring about change in their communities and organizations.
Social Arts | Social Presencing Theater
- Social Presencing Theater Basic Course | The Art of Making a True Move: an introduction to Social Presencing Theater.
- Social Presencing Theater | The Art of Cultivating the Social Field: an intensive practitioner development program in applying SPT expertise to enable social field shift.
Social Arts | Visual Presencing
- Levels of Scribing: to learn and apply the 4 Levels of Scribing.
- Scribing Essentials: a foundational experience with the Model of Practice, as defined in the book Generative Scribing. More info.
- Visual Practice for Theory U: Applying scribing to each movement of Theory U, to see and sense an emerging future. More info.
- Visual Sensemaking: An open program to gain access to deeper layers of knowing, by mapping current realities and future possibilities. More Info.
- Applied Visual Sensemaking: A custom-designed experience for a group or organization’s focused topic. Inquire.
Deep dive on Tools and Practices
- Levels of Listening: to understand which levels of listening there are and how we can practice the different listening skills.
- How to apply 3D System Sculpting: for creating three-dimensional models that map a current situation or system and identify leverage points for change.
- How to apply Sensing Journeys: taking people out of their daily routine or context in order to experience their organization, challenge, or system through the lenses of different stakeholders.
- How to apply 4D System Mapping: a tool that offers deep and transformational insights about the system by making more visible its current reality and emergent potential.
Space Holding
- Digital Leadership | Activating and Holding Transformative Change Online: for discovering a new frontier of leadership, facilitating greater accessibility and participation.
Awareness Practices
- Awareness Practices for Leadership: a hands-on program for leaders called to remain responsive in an ever-changing landscape.
Transforming Finance as a Force for Good
- Just Money | Banking as if Society Mattered: for learning how banks to use capital as a tool to promote social and environmental wellbeing.
- Leading in Times of Disruption: for bankers in values-based institutions seeking to co-imagine and co-create a new way of doing finance.
Workshops with Key Partners
- Executive Champions Workshop | ECW: hosted by The Presencing Institute in partnership with The Center for Systems Awareness, brings together diverse leaders from around the world who share a vision of helping people connect more deeply to place and one another as a basis for regenerating the institutions that shape our society.
Events
- Global Forum | Transforming Society & Self: An annual gathering of change makers, systems thinkers, and awareness practitioners, dedicated to creating a better world for future generations.
- GAIA | Global Activation of Intention and Action: a series of monthly sessions, each focusing on a specific area for societal transformation and planetary healing
Image credit for cards: SPT, Awareness Practices and Space Holding | Pablo Sanhueza @p.sanhueza.gutierrez
u-lab cycle
u-lab 0x | Leading Change in Times of Disruption: Introduction to Theory U
This is a free 90-minute course to introduce you to Theory U, a framework and method for leading and supporting systems change based on the work of Otto Scharmer and colleagues at MIT. u-lab 0x is an entry point to a longer journey and emerging global network – both of which you will have the opportunity to join after completing this course.
This is a self-paced course.
u-lab 1x | Learn to Lead from the Emerging Future
This MOOC (Massive Open Online Course) run in partnership with MITx is a 6-week program on the foundations of Theory U, a transformative 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.
This is an online self-paced course complemented with synchronous live sessions bringing together thousands of change makers from around the world.
u-lab 1x runs every year starting September. In partnership with MITx.
u-lab 2x | From Prototype to Eco-System Impact
u-lab 2x is designed to help teams apply their learning from u-lab 1x, PFP or ELFP, to change initiatives in their communities and organizations. Participating teams join a three-month, online and offline innovation journey that applies awareness-based tools and methods to and rapid cycle prototyping to help to evolve from prototype to eco-system impact.
This is an online self-paced course combined with live sessions for teams.
u-lab 2x runs every year from February to May. Participation is by application only.
Introduction to Theory U and Presencing
Meet Theory U
"Meet Theory U" is a beginners course that offers a quick (but deep) "bite" of understanding about Theory U. It is a unique opportunity for direct and live online interaction with Senior Faculty from the u-school for Transformation by Presencing Institute. The course also provides some instant, hands-on practice and is ideal for anyone who wishes to acquire a first overall grasp of Theory U.
Meet Theory U is offered for teams and organizations. Want to take this program to your organization?
Theory U Presencing Foundation Program | PFP
The Presencing Foundation Program “Action Confidence in Times of Disruption” is a foundational hands-on, 4-day experiential intensive program, offered in retreat style, with a group of 60-80 other participants. In the Presencing Foundation Program, you will be facilitated through a U-process, learning and/or deepening your understanding of the foundational frameworks, participating in the core methods and tools, and gaining action confidence to actualize the emerging future you want to be a part of. The program is designed to enable you to build connections with others, contribute to the cultivation of a generative social field and experience the U-process in depth with their cohort.
The PFP is offered both online and in-person, in English. The in-person PFP is offered once each year in Europe or the USA.
Upcoming dates: You can check other current open programs here.
ELP
Ecosystem Leadership Program Latam | Module 1: Personal Foundations
Ecosystem Leadership Program Module 1 | Personal Foundations is a 4-day intensive in person and in Nature program, with multi sector leaders and change agents from all over Latin America, to cultivate the kind of leadership needed to face the challenges of our time, activating the deepest sources of knowledge and inspiration for systems change.
The ELP module 1 is offered only in-person, in different languages with simultaneous translation from English. Each region has admission criteria specific to the regional program.
Upcoming dates: You can check other current open programs here.
READ MORE
Ecosystem Leadership Program Latam | Module 2: Collective Impact
A 4-day intensive in person and in Nature program, with multi sector leaders and change agents from all over Latin America, to deepen and to put into practice the methodologies and the knowledge acquired in the First Module of ELP Latam or equivalent programs (PFP, US Masterclass), to bring ideas into action and keep weaving a community of changemakers yo deeply impact systems in Latin America.
The ELP module 2 is offered only in-person, in different languages with simultaneous translation from English. Each region has admission criteria specific to the regional program.
Upcoming dates: You can check other current open programs here.
READ MORE
Deep Dive on Tools and Practices
Levels of Listening
This Learning Module covers key areas that will help you develop individual, team, and organizational capacity to deepen your quality of listening.
This Learning Module contains:
- The Workbook
- Introduction of Levels of Listening by Otto Scharmer
- Reflections by Otto Scharmer on his own listening journey
- Conditions for listening
- Applications of listening
- Origins of this work
How to apply 3D Modelling or 3D System Sculpting
3D System Sculpting involves creating a three-dimensional model that maps a current situation or system (using small items such as figurines, feathers, pieces of wool, etc. to symbolize elements and dynamics). The 3D System Sculpture is a key tool for individuals and groups to uncover hidden dynamics in systems and identify leverage points for change.
This Learning Module contains
- Introduction audio file (70 minutes)
- 3D System Sculpting audio file (35 minutes) with Beth Jandernoa and Julie Arts
- PDF with step by step instructions for download
How to apply Learning Journeys or Sensing Journeys
Sensing Journeys take people out of their daily routine or context in order to experience their organization, challenge, or system through the lenses of different stakeholders. Sensing Journeys are a key tool and practice for cultivating a capacity to perceive oneself and the system from a new perspective, and to sense new possibilities in a system.
This Learning Module contains
- Introduction audio file (70 minutes)
- Sensing Journey audio file (40 minutes) with Marian Goodman and Julie Arts
- PDF with step-by-step instructions for download
How to apply 4D System Mapping
4D system Mapping is a structured method developed by Arawana Hayashi and faculty of Social Presencing Theater that guides groups through an embodied practice of system sensing. 4D System Mapping is a tool that offers deep and transformational insights about the system by making more visible its current reality and emergent potential.
This Learning Module contains
- Introduction audio file (70 minutes)
- 4D Mapping audio file (45 minutes) with Arawana Hayashi and Julie Arts
- PDF with step by step instructions for download
Space Holding
Digital Leadership (Self-Paced)
Is a specialized intensive program that integrates over 10 years’ experience in creating effective and transformative online spaces. Be on the leading edge of online space-holding: equip yourself for the ever-shifting future of virtual team collaboration. Learn the 10 principles for digital leadership to help you run effective virtual meetings that connect people through engaging the intelligences of the head, heart, and hand.
Hub Hosting
This course contains content to support your efforts in organizing and holding generative spaces which brings together pioneers, change-makers and social innovators from around the world for dialogues and experiential learning journeys. You will find links, guidance and usuful resources on how to host a hubs - safe spaces to deepen understanding of our programs, do deep system-sensing, cultivating shared awareness, and activating transformation.
Awareness Practices
Awareness Practices for Leadership
“Awareness Practices for Leadership” is a specialized hands-on program to train the muscle of your attention and tap into your curiosity, compassion, and courage, so that you are equipped for the most challenging of times. In this program you can explore:
- being able to remain present with disruption in times of unpredictability and volatility from an inner place of clarity and calm;
- leading or working in ways that are underpinned by the ability to pay attention to your attention;
- cultivating your inner condition so that you can show up and operate from your place of highest potential.
Upcoming dates: You can check other current open programs here.
Social Presencing Theater
Visual Practice
Transforming Finance as a Force for Good
Just Money
Banking as if Society Mattered
What is the role of a bank in producing societal well-being? This program looks into banks that operate differently, namely, “just banks" that use capital and finance as a tool to produce positive social, environmental, and economic change.
No previous knowledge of finance or banking is needed to take this course.
This is a self-paced course with live sessions. Just Money runs every year from July to November. In partnership with MITx.
Workshops With Key Partners
Executive Champions Workshop
Reconnecting to Place and Re-shaping our Future
ECW will be hosted by The Presencing Institute, a global leader in “Theory U” and related tools, in partnership with The Center for Systems Awareness, which focuses on the “compassionate systems” framework in re-creating primary and secondary education. The ECW 2023 brings together diverse leaders from around the world who share a vision of helping people connect more deeply to place and one another as a basis for regenerating the institutions that shape our society.
Upcoming dates: You can check other current open programs here.
Community Events
Global Forum
Transforming Society & Self
An annual gathering of change makers, systems thinkers, and awareness practitioners, dedicated to creating a better world for future generations. Using global live sessions, presencing practices, and an expanding Audio Garden, our intent is to help our wider global community see and sense itself through a showcasing and exploration of many different programs, labs and community initiatives that make up our global ecosystem. As a community, we’ll be nurturing, and celebrating these initiatives for radical, regional, and global regeneration that are vital to the societal transformations.
This course contains:
- recordings and resources shared during the 2022 Global Forum
- 200+ tracks in 9 languages on the Audio Garden, made up of audio pieces contributed by u-school senior faculty, global thought leaders, our various regional communities, and change-makers around the world. The audio garden consists of stories, practices, sensing journeys, and sound scapes.
GAIA
Global Activation of Intention and Action
This year-long journey began in 2020 as a global response to the COVID-19 crisis that was leading to quarantines and lockdowns around the planet. It was a series of monthly sessions, each focusing on a specific area for societal transformation and planetary healing. In 2021, the journey expanded to have sessions focused on specific acupuncture points.
This course contains:
- recordings and resources shared during the 2020 monthly sessions
- recordings of the sessions occurred in 2021 focused on acupuncture points like: Mission-Driven Finance, Social Arts, Soil & Food and Climate Change