Fellowship Opportunity | Digital Storytelling and Natural Fibres
Future Island-Island has developed work around Rathlin wool and natural fibres, including circular design practice and the relationships between supply chains, policy, place and people. This fellowship will help translate that work into a clearer and more compelling public narrative within the wider green transition context through creative digital storytelling.
This is a cross-cutting fellowship connecting digital storytelling with the Rathlin wool and natural-fibre work. The Fellow will bring a distinct creative vision to the project and work with the existing research to develop a digital storytelling multimedia artwork. This Fellowship will enable an artist, filmmaker, animator, designer, or interdisciplinary creative practitioner to develop a compelling film, multimedia work, animation, or hybrid creative output that explores:
- The journey of Rathlin wool through the Future Island-Island project and the scientific and design methodologies employed.
- The cultural, environmental, and economic significance of wool on Rathlin Island.
- The relationship between island communities, natural fibres, and sustainable futures.
- The potential of circular economy approaches to support resilience, biodiversity, cultural heritage, and local enterprise.
Required Skills & Experience
Essential skills
- A demonstrated track record in film-making, animation, visual arts, multimedia production, digital storytelling, design, or a related creative discipline.
- Evidence of high-quality creative outputs that engage public audiences.
- Ability to translate research, heritage, environmental, or community-based themes into compelling narratives.
- Experience working collaboratively with communities, participants, cultural organisations, researchers, or heritage groups.
- Excellent communication and interpersonal skills.
- Experience planning and delivering creative projects within agreed timelines and budgets.
- Ability to work independently while maintaining effective communication with project partners.
- Strong organisational and project management skills.
- Commitment to ethical and inclusive creative practice.
- An interest in sustainability, environmental storytelling, cultural heritage, or social innovation.
- Willingness to engage with Rathlin Island and project partners throughout the fellowship.
Desirable skills
- Demonstrable interest in circular economy principles, sustainable materials, regenerative design, or environmental humanities.
- Experience exploring themes relating to natural fibres, craft, land use, agriculture, textiles, sustainable production, or climate resilience.
- Understanding of the opportunities and challenges facing island economies and cultures.
- Understanding of participatory and co-creative approaches to knowledge production.
- Skills in animation, motion graphics, immersive media, sound design, interactive storytelling, or digital exhibition design.
- Experience producing work for online, exhibition, festival, or community settings.
Potential Outcomes
Applicants are encouraged to propose outcomes that reflect their creative approach and the focus of their fellowship. These will incorporate:
- A digital storytelling artefact, for example film, multimedia or animation.
- An approach to communicating circular natural-fibre supply chains and the green transition story to relevant audiences.
- Evidence of stakeholder co-creation and/or impact measures that help evidence the value of the work.
Fellowship Value
The Fellowship will be offered up to £10,000 and applicants will be required to provide a full breakdown of costs. Eligible costs include the Fellow’s time, consumables or materials, travel, accommodation and subsistence. Equipment costs are ineligible. Costs associated with Studentships or PhD study are ineligible. Applicants should indicate the funding amount requested. The evaluation panel may recommend a different amount based on the proposal content and budget justification.
How to Apply
Please apply through this form. Please complete all sections by 23:45 on Thursday, 22nd of October 2026.