From Working Time Reduction to Public Luxury: The Autonomy Institute

This is the keynote lecture for the Projective Cities Taught MPhil in Architecture and Urban Design.

Over the past 7 years, The Autonomy Institute went from a small policy think tank advocating for a four day week, to becoming a respected research institute providing insights, services and consultancies to private business, governments and media platforms across the globe. During the talk Julian Siravo and Will Stronge – two directors of the institute – are going to take us through this evolution, from early innovations like the Autonomy Data Unit to its current structure and most recent initiative: the Universal Basic Services (UBS) Hub.

The Autonomy Institute is an independent, progressive research organisation that creates data-driven tools and policy to strengthen democracy and build a fairer economy.

Julian Siravo is an architect, an urban designer and the co-director of The Autonomy Institute – where he leads the Public Futures Lab. Julian has spent time in research and commercial architectural practices, eventually gravitating to the world of policy. Julian has taught in various design and architecture schools, including University College London, the Royal College of Art and the Architectural Association.

Will Stronge is Co-Director of the Autonomy Institute, an independent research organisation focusing on issues relating to the future of work, welfare and climate. He is the co-author of Overtime: Why We Need a Shorter Working Week (2021) and the editor of Georges Bataille and Contemporary Thought (Bloomsbury, 2017).

This event will take place in person in the AA Lecture Hall and will also be live-streamed here.