Creativity and Art for Social Innovation and Transformation
Multidisciplinary Collaborations - Sustainability Consultancy - Film
My work is dedicated to strengthening our connection to nature and ourselves.
Sonja Schenkel, PhD
My work revolves around social transformation and creativity. Through multidisciplinary collaboration and the arts, I explore how society’s relationship with nature can evolve through regenerative practices, creative projects, and purpose-driven innovation. My path spans multiple worlds: alongside completing a PhD, I have worked hands-on in diverse contexts, translating ideas into practice and navigating the real-world complexities of social change. I understand both the creative freedom and the operational demands of budgets, timelines, and delivery, and this combination of academic rigor and practical experience shapes how I lead, collaborate, and innovate.
I create spaces where imagination and action come together to inspire new ways of living and working, building cross-cultural, transdisciplinary partnerships that unite those cultivating awe and wonder in art, science, and storytelling with those driving real-world change in the private and public sectors and NGOs. As an entrepreneur and consultant, I have founded and led several organizations, including Storytex, a cultural weaving studio that drives international initiatives linking creativity, sustainability, and systems thinking, and co-initiated The Library for a Happy Future, fostering intergenerational dialogue around One Health and societal transformation. I have also taught at Swiss universities and abroad.
2024
“Neighbors”
Democracy at your door step
How do people live under one roof? How is democracy reflected on a small scale?
The short documentary Neighbors presents a brief portrait of how contemporary Switzerland is reflected in a Zurich apartment building. Inspired by Krzysztof Kieślowski’s Talking Head, residents aged 3 to 92 were asked the same two questions: Who are you? What do you want?
2024
Creativity for a Regenerative Tomorrow
in collaboration with Mercator Foundation Switzerland
The coming sustainability transformation is essentially a cultural challenge. An action research project explores the role that art and culture can play in this. In nine case studies, artists and cultural practitioners provide insights into their work.– 2022-24
Dr. Björn Müller und Dr. Sonja Schenkel in collaboration with Stiftung Mercator Schweiz
2024
Omphalos of Many
Art Ichol – India
“Omphalos” means navel in Greek. The navel is considered to be a symbol of birth and life; The anchor, our center point. But what does that mean exactly?
“Omphalos of Many” would like to suggest that our common anchor may not be set in a specific point but lies in a way of being. It is created through connection and dialogue. The focus of a centre emerges from deep listening and from freeing ourselves from what we have learned. The textile piece is an offering to earth. It was purposely laid on the ground so that it will eventually be overgrown by plants and taken over by animals. Textile Sculpture – Art Ichol, India – 2024
Farm to Table
on behalf of Zurich University of the Arts (ZHDK)
„Three of Life“ was conceived as part of an exploration on how Universities can offer food to thousands of students in a sustainable and healthy way. The question of how a good education is based on good food drew a close connection between nourishing and nurturing. Education seeds the future. And this very future takes its energy from actual seeds and the care given to them.
2023
A Shared Land (Tierra Compartida)
in collaboration with The Wyss Academy for Nature and Conservation Amazonia
Brilliant Failures in International Partnerships
in collaboration with University of Lausanne
Precious stones form under the right conditions. They require heat and great pressure. But in order to shine; They also need to be recognized and cared for. Failures present a similar treasure. From an early stage in our lives, we learn, that success is great. And Failure..hmm..well. Failure is not so good. While in fact. Isn’t this how we evolved in the first place?
2022
Force Field
in collaboration with the Wellbeing Project
Contemplative rooting at the Wellbeing Summit in Bilbão, June 2022
in development, 2023/24
The Iceberg in the Room