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Eliza Collin


Design Researcher
Practicing Film Maker and Producer



My work as a multidisciplinary design researcher sits as the intersection of design research and ecology. My practice aims to visualise climate change, adaptive ecologies, and human relationships with landscapes through research-led and site-specific projects. With over a decade of international experience, I have worked across public and private sectors, consulting on community-led initiatives, sustainable interventions, and long-term strategies.

Rooted in slow, place-based research, my work is developed through collaboration with local communities and scientific partners, often in remote or high-altitude environments. Using methods including ethnography, walking, co-design, and participatory observation, I produce films, installations, and publications, often co-developed with communities, that translate complex ecological processes into accessible public engagement with long-term impact.

Recent projects include Crossing the Middle Meadow comissioned by UNIDEE Residency Programmes, Hybridising Scentscapes at the Design Museum and Birmingham City University, Where Grass Roots in Sicily, and Olfactive Evolution comissioned by Future Obervatory. I have written extensively on adaptive ecologies and design futures, most recently published by It’s Freezing in LA! and for the Museo Civico Castelbuono as well as being as guest tutor and visiting lecturer at the Royal College of Art, Central Saint Martins and Birmingham City University. Clients include; Marshmallow Laser Feast, PolicyLab, RKTIC, ROAHiking, ID, PILOT, TANK and AmperDesign. Co-founder of TUFF.

@elizalicollin
olutions
Crossing the Middle Meadow
2026
Crossing the Middle Meadow is a design research project and film exploring how climate change is reshaping alpine species, their relationships, and cultural practices, and how humans might actively support ecosystems to adapt and evolve. Grounded in the Alps, it brings together ecological science, local knowledge, and artistic practice to challenge static ideas of conservation through fieldwork, public programming, and transdisciplinary collaboration to imagine future alpine ecologies.
Film, Research & Exhibition
Film making, Research, Production





Commissioned by:
Unidee Residency Programme
Cittadellarte

Stills →
Crossing the Middle Meadow (2026)
Current
Floruit/Ipomopsis x is a semi-fictional documentary set at the Rocky Mountain Biological Laboratory in Colorado. Developed in collaboration with Federico Barni, the film blends scientific observation with speculative storytelling, it explores how wildflowers, and the humans who study them, reveal the impacts of climate change and the uncertain futures of adaptation, resilience, and co-existence.
Film
Direction, Research, Production

Supported by:
Rocky Mountain Biological Laboratory
Northwestern University
University of California, Irvine
2024 - ongoing 
Hybridising Scentscapes is a long-term design research project at the Design Museum’s Dame Sylvia Crowe Garden with its second itteration extending to Birmingham City University in 2026. 

The collaboration with Aterraterra investigates how climate change is altering the scents of plants, focusing on the Brassicaceae family, and encourages hybridisation to explore resilience, adaptation, and new sensory landscapes.
Installation
Design, Research, Production

Supported by:
Future Observatory
the Design Museum
Growing Together
Birmingham City University
Birmingham Botanical Gardens
Black Country Wildlife Trust
2023 - 2024 
Olfactive Evolution was developed during Eliza’s residency at the Design Museum, London, as part of Future Observatory’s Design Researchers in Residence programme. The project speculates on how human and non-human evolution might be traced through scent, blending ecology, design, and sensory science to consider smell as both archive and signal of adaptation in changing environments.
Research & Exhibition
Design, Research, Production





Commissioned by:
Future Observatory

Animation →
The 100 year evolution of the Ipomopsis hybrid
2025 
Where Grass Roots is a collaborative project in Sicily led by AmperDesign, addressing soil erosion through craft-based, ecological interventions. By working with native grasses, local communities, and collaborators, the project develops participatory methods for land care that link traditional knowledge with contemporary design. The final publication and poster demonstrate how collective action can build resilience against climate and environmental change. Gratitude goes to Colina di Franz and Colletivo Rewild Sicily for their support.
Research Project
Research, Production



Supported by:
Stimulerings Fond

WET ZONES 2022 - 2023 The WET ZONES research residency explored water histories and how they affect contemporary water management and culture in and around the city of Palermo, Sicily. Using the findings to feed into a design intervention in collaboration with Marginal Studio which can be used as a discussion point for the future of water in Palermo.
Research, Installation & Video Works Design, Research, Production



Commissioned by:
Fondazione Studio Rizoma
Rosa Luxemburg Foundation
Grease
2023 Grease presents scent adaptation through six samples showing plant scent changes under stress, offering insights into non-human experiences and prompting reflection on the definition of a plant's smell.
Installation
Design, Research, Production



Commissioned by:
Traffic Festival
Faccimo il Bosco 2020
2021Studio Rizoma's open call during the initial months of the global pandemic led to the selection of Facciamo il Bosco. A research project highlighting the interconnectedness of pre-existing issues like water stress and temperature rise in Sicily, and emphasizing the need to shift perspectives towards understanding climate change effects on ecosystems, by ecosystems, and engaging communities in remediation efforts.Research Project & Film
Research & Production

Commissioned by:Fondazione Studio Rizoma
Experience

University of the Arts London
2021 - 2026
Associate LecturerEliza Collin teaches and facilitates modules across different UAL departments, linking design, ecology, and systems thinking, delivering lectures, workshops, and tutorials, supporting student projects, providing feedback, and contributing to curriculum development.
Marshmallow Laser Feast
2025 - 2026
Researcher and CopywriterIn 2025 Eliza contributed copywriting and research on hundreds of oak-related species for Of the Oak, a Marshmallow Laser Feast project exhibited at the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew. In 2026 Eliza worked as a researcher on the project ARTIS Breathing Planet Rivers Edition to identify and source long-distance datasets for migratory waterborne species.
RKTIC
2024 - 2025
Producer
As producer at RKTIC, Eliza Collin leads end-to-end production for international shoots and community engagement. Managing budgets, crews, logistics, stakeholder coordination, and assisting with post-production to deliver complex projects on time and to specification. Projects include ROA x Wrangler Summit Lake (2025) and Frostline (2025) exhibited during FUORIPISTA, gres art 671.
AmperDesign
2025
Producer and Community Consultant
Eliza Collin co-leads Where Grass Roots, producing community events and consultations to develop site-specific interventions that address soil erosion and support ecological resilience in Sicily.
Central School for Speech and Drama
2024
Researcher and Project Coordinator
Eliza Collin supported interdisciplinary research, prototyping, and the development of experimental workshops at the intersection of biology and design for the co-design and installation of a community garden on the Central School of Speech and Drama campus.
ROA Resource Research
2023
Researcher and Copywriter
Eliza Collin worked on developing the concept of ROA Resource Research alongside the ROA Hiking core team. She also worked on research and copywriting for the projects Kishuann Tomohito Kaji’s auberge in Isumi and Noyaki Seasonal burning on the Mt. Aso which was published into a book alongside photos taken by Parker Fitzgerald.
Policy Lab
2022
Design Assistant and Consultant
Eliza Collin worked on experimental projects advancing sustainability and social justice in policy, contributing through prototyping, workshop development, data synthesis, report writing, and stakeholder engagement while upholding ethical best practices.
Residencies & Awards

“ECOSYSTEMS AS LIVING COMMUNITIES” vol. II
UniCredit Group UNIDEE Connective Residencies
2026
Residency
Vjosë–Nartë Bird Ringing and Art Residency Camp
2026
Residency
RMBL Art/Science Exchange
2024 - 2026
Residency
Rocky Mountain Biological Laboratory, Colorado
2023 - 2024
Residency curated by George Kafka
Future Observatory, the Design Museum, London
Nominated for Arts Foundation Futures Awards 2024 for Regenerative Design
2024
Award Nomination
Arts Foundation Futures Award
Between Land and Sea
2022 - 2023
Residency curated by Izabela Anna Moren
Fondazione Studio Rizoma, Italy
2022
Residency curated by Xandra van der Eijk
Utrecht, Netherlands
BlueCity: Rainwater Hackathon
2022
Design Sprint
Rotterdam, Netherlands
WESLDET
2021
Grant
University of the Arts London, London
Connections Through Culture
2021
Alumni Grant
British Council
LIPA Project
2020
Residency
Indonesia/Online 
Connections Through Culture
2020
Grant
British Council
Pandemos
2020
Residency curated by Izabela Anna Moren
Fondazione Studio Rizoma, Italy
Grizedale Arts
2019
Residency
Grizedale Arts, UK
Roberto Cimetta Foundation/ Creative Tracks Travel
2017
Grant
Palestine
Exhibitions & Features

“ECOSYSTEMS AS LIVING COMMUNITIES” vol. II
2026
Cittadellarte, Biella
comissioned by UNIDEE Residency Programmes
curated by Angela Serino
FUORIPISTA
2025
Group show, contributing photographer as part of RKTIC project Frostline (2025)
gres art 671, Bergamo
curated by 2050+
Hybridising Scentscapes
2024-2027
Living Installation
Dame Sylvia Crowe Garden, the Design Museum, London
collaboration with Aterraterra
2024
Group show
TRANSEUROPA Festival, CREA Cantieri del Contemporaneo, Venice
curated by Izabela Anna Moren and Pier Paolo Scelsi
SOLAR
2024
Group show
the Design Museum, London
curated by George Kafka
Group show
Kettles Yard and Witworth
curated by Rachel Dedman
Between Land and Sea: WET ZONES Kitchen Activation
2023
Performance
Ecomuseo del Mare, Palermo
curated by Izabela Anna Moren
Grease
2023
Group show
Traffic Festival, San Lorenzo in Campo
curated by Matteo Binci
Run Deep, Run Wild
2022
Group radio show
Utrecht
curated by Xandra van der Eijk
Verdant Futures
2021
Group show
D-contemporary, London
curated by Sean T Ross
2021
Group show
Things That Matter
MicroLab Hall, Dutch Design Week
Eindhoven
2021
Group show
Think & Tink, Kuching
curated by Eliza Collin and Wendy Teo
2021
Group show
Univeristy of the Arts London
Fragile Ecosystems
2021
Group show
Univeristy of the Arts London x Firmenich
curated by Mael Henaff
2020
Group show
Rizoma Studio: Pandemos, Palermo
curated by Izabela Anna Moren
The Everyday Martian
2019
Group performance
Design Museum, London
curated by Kieran Jones
Material Connections: House of Princes
2019
Group show
Koppel Projects, London
curated by Abbie Adams
All in green went my love riding
2019
Group show
Venice Biennale Collateral
curated by Elinor Stanley, Jean Feline and Addam Glibbery
Earth Day: Interwoven
2019
Group show
Somerset House, London 
curated by Somerset House
Dust Sheet Embroidered Snow
2019
Group show
Project Gallery, Arundel
curated by Jack Bodimeade
Life Cycles
2019
Solo show
Light Eye Mind, London
curated by Eliza Collin and Pietro Librizzi
WithKin
2015
Group show
Melbury Abbas, Dorset 
curated by George Ridgeway
Press, Publications and Journals
Press: Future Observatories Journal: Forecast & From the Portfolio, Print 2026
Press: RMBL Science Stories June 2026: Visualising Plant Evolution: Evolutionary Ecologist Diane Campbell and Design Researcher Eliza Collin Simulate the Future at RMBL
Press: Olfactory Art & Environment: Art is in the air by Clara Muller, NEZ21
Press: Sensing Floral Futures: A Conversation with Eliza Collin, Plantings Journal WS/C
Press: Il Biellese, Eco Di Biella: Arte al Centro 2026: Cittadellarte Guida il Dialogo Tra Arte e Transformazione Sociale
Press: Il Biellese, Speciale: Arte al Centro, Una geografia si visioni, arte, moda e accoglienza
Press: Emma Zerial e Eliza Collin: Video intervista alle artiste della residenza Ecosystems as living communities - Cittadellarte
Journal article: Scented Spaces: Creating Smellscapes in Artistic and Architectural Practices by Jieling Xiao
Press: “Ecosystems as Living Communities” vol. II: selected artist Emma Zerial ed Eliza Collin
Press: Zetteler 26 for 2026Proofreading: Living Library Aftermatter, published by Karlsruhe University of Arts and Design
2026
Feature: « The natural and original fragrance of the land » Art et écologie des paysages odorants dans un monde en mutation Clara Muller (Historienne de l'art indépendante, France)
Producer & Editor: Where Grass Roots: Edition 1 and insert
Essay: CONNECTED ECOSYSTEMS. MUSEUM AND POST-VARIETAL COMMUNITIES, Aterraterra, published by Palermo Publishing
In podcast: Can olfactory design contribute to preserving a memory of the living world?
Article: It’s Freezing in LA!: On the scent: using design to reveal changing plant-pollinator relationships
2025
2024
Pre 2023
Events

Hybridising Scentscapes: Observation, Research and Maintenance
2026
Workshop series
the Design Museum, Sylvia Crowe Garden
Collaborative Practices in Design Research
2026
Workshop series
MA Material Futures, University of the Arts London
"Costruire insieme il futuro delle ecologie montane"
2026
Workshop
Cittadellarte
Where Grass Roots: Volume 1
2025
Curated symposium and publication launch
Ecomuseo Mare Memoria Viva, Palermo, Sicily
Dame Sylvia Crowe Winter Garden Assembly
2025
Talk and workshop
the Design Museum, London
Anti-Erosion Fête’s 1 & 2, Where Grass Roots
2025
Workshop
Collesano and Camporeale, Sicily
RMBL Visiting Lectures & Futures Workshop
2025
Lecture and Workshop
RMBL, Colorado
Re-generate Symposium
2025
Workshop with TUFF
Jan Van Eyck
Future Observatory conference 
2024
Lecture
the Design Museum, London
2024
Lecture
Architectural Association, London
Edible Institute for Aterraterra
2024
Talk and Performance
Istituto Svizzero, Rome
Evolutionary Rescue
2024
Presentation and Workshop,
Aterraterra Project Space, Palermo
2022
Workshop curator and coordinator
Narratives of Soil public programme
Funded by the British Council
2021
Workshop curator and coordinator
Narratives of Soil public programme
Funded by the British Council
2021
Forum curator and coordinator
Narratives of Soil public programme
Funded by the British Council
This Home in my Hand
2021
Workshop with Samak Bilab Bi Delo
V&A, London
ARC panel discussion
2021
Hosted by the British Council
Visiting Practitioner Talk
2020
University of the Arts London
Sustainable thinking through interventions
2020
Workshop
University of the Arts London
Fashion - But is it Ethical
2019
Panel discussion
Cooler Lumpur Festival, Kuala Lumpur
Sustainable Fashion: Making Clothes from Reused Materials
2019
Workshop
ME.REKA, Kuala Lumpur
Designing from Waste
2019
Workshop
IKN, Kuala Lumpur
Future Textiles Debate
2019
Panel Discussion
Somerset House
Sustainability in Art Practice
2019
Curated round table discussion
LEM, London
Drowned Statues
2018
Screening
Rover.live
Manifesta 12, Palermo