Step into the Doughnut – sharing experiences and insights of facilitators

Join us to hear more about this embodied learning activity from experienced facilitators from TU Dublin (Dr. Olivia Freeman & Dr. Lucia Walsh) and Roisin Markham (Irish Doughnut Economics Network) who have collectively delivered over 70 ‘Step into the Doughnut’ workshops!  

Date: 14 October 2025 

Time: 13.15 - 14.15 (GMT) 

Sign up here 

Who is this webinar for? 

Anyone who would like to learn more about facilitating the ‘Step into the Doughnut’ activity in higher education, community or business settings.  

What is ‘step into the doughnut’ activity? 

This experiential and embodied activity invites participants to literally step into the Doughnut to experience the idea rather than just think about it. Participants come together in one group (10-70) in an open outdoor space (indoors is also possible). Under the gentle scripted direction of facilitators, the participants play with two large ropes to explore interconnections in human and planetary systems and form two concentric circles representing the ecological ceiling (outer circle, informed by planetary boundaries) and the social foundation (inner circle, informed by socially-focused UN SDGs) of the doughnut model.     

‘Step into the Doughnut’ was designed by the Doughnut Economics Action Lab to introduce the Doughnut to people in an experiential and accessible way. Groups of 15 to 70 participants gather in a large indoor or outdoor space to explore the doughnut model using two large ropes to create powerful visual boundaries: the ecological ceiling (to ensure that humanity does not collectively overshoot the planetary boundaries that protect Earth's life-supporting systems) and the social foundation (to ensure that no one is left falling short on life’s essentials). Between these two sets of boundaries lies a doughnut-shaped space that is both ecologically safe and socially just: a space in which humanity can thrive.  

The workshop is designed to be an immersive and reflective experience that encourages individual and collective action. Under the gentle scripted direction of facilitators, participants walk, reflect, and converse within these boundaries, embodying the tension between planetary limits and human needs. Through paired prompts and group discussion, participants connect emotionally and intellectually with the pressing challenges of the 21st century, leaving with a stronger sense of purpose and practical ways to engage in meaningful action locally. 

This scripted activity can be facilitated by anyone and is currently available in 30 different languages on the Doughnut Economics Action Lab (source and more info) 

What will the webinar focus on? 

You will hear from three experienced facilitators who have a collective experience in delivering doughnut economics-related activities to over 2,000 participants and over 70 ‘step into the doughnut’ workshops.

During the webinar, they will: 

• Discuss experience of running the step into the doughnut workshops  
• Share their experience of follow-up activities suited to different audiences and purpose 
• Offer encouragement to others to use the activity in higher education, community and business settings    

For more information, please contact Dr. Olivia Freeman (olivia.freeman@tudublin.ie) or Dr. Lucia Walsh (lucia.walsh@tudublin.ie)