Jessica Charlesworth

Jessica Charlesworth is a British/Canadian transdisciplinary artist, designer, and part-time Lecturer in Designed Objects at the School of the Art Institute of Chicago (SAIC). She co-founded Parsons & Charlesworth in 2014, exploring speculative futures through art and design. Her academic roles include teaching at SAIC and institutions like Harvard Business School, UC Berkeley, and the Royal College of Art.

Educated with a BA from Manchester Metropolitan University (2002) and an MA in Design Interactions from the Royal College of Art (2007), Charlesworth’s work focuses on emerging technologies’ societal impacts, ecological challenges, and futures research. Her studio’s projects, such as Catalog for the Post-Human (Venice Architecture Biennale 2021) and Multispecies Inc., blend critical inquiry with tangible artifacts.

Recent honors include the 2024 Lumen Arts Prize Futures Award, Graham Foundation grants, and residencies at Headlands Center for the Arts. Her research-driven approach addresses urgent issues like climate adaptation through speculative design, exemplified in projects like Future Climate Souvenirs. Charlesworth’s pedagogical contributions include courses on research methods and futuring, emphasizing design’s role in navigating complex challenges.