About
A lab for transformative ideas
What we do
Visioning Lab is a research lab that works at the intersection of ontological thinking, infrastructure systems, and immersive technology. We research, build, and question — bringing rigour to complexity and clarity to decisions that shape the built environment.
Our work spans formal research, tool development, and immersive experiences. We believe that the most meaningful insights emerge from the act of making — building systems, designing frameworks, and testing ideas against the grain of real-world complexity.
Methodology
Our approach is deliberately cross-disciplinary. Every project begins with a question that matters, and we draw from multiple fields to answer it:
- Ontology and knowledge systems — understanding how we categorise and represent the world
- Infrastructure research — examining the systems that underpin society
- Immersive technology — using spatial and interactive media to communicate complex ideas
- Participatory design — working with communities, not just for them
Collaborators
We work with researchers, practitioners, and organisations across sectors — from water utilities and infrastructure bodies to cultural institutions and standards organisations. Our projects are collaborative by design, because the most valuable knowledge is built together.
25+
Years Experience
R&D
Lab Approach
AI
& Emerging Tech
2019
Founded
The Collaboratorium
A virtual space for collaborative research.
Developed in collaboration with Joe Ravetz at the University of Manchester
Founder
Dr Jessica Symons
Anthropologist · Digital Consultant · Founder
Dr Jessica Symons set up Visioning Lab in 2019, bringing 25 years of digital and social entrepreneurship and a decade of anthropological research to create projects that tackle social and environmental issues using emerging technologies.
Her work spans public, private, and third sectors — from consulting for large multinationals and startups to research positions at the University of Manchester and University of Salford. She designs projects by weaving social and environmental challenges with ideas, people, places and activities.
She works with a wide network of consultants, academics, artists, technologists, producers and engagers — taking a 'lab' approach that is open, inquiring, iterative and exploratory. She regularly presents at conferences and public events across the UK and internationally on sustainable and socially-minded development of emerging technologies.