“The essence of truth lies in freedom” – Heidegger, On the Essence of Truth
Rather than resolutions, 2025 invites strategic advancement grounded in proven approaches. Through Emergent ThinkersTM consultancy, my interconnected work in phenomenological research, entrepreneurial education, and community engagement creates frameworks for meaningful transformation in education and society. Each strand reinforces the others, from international academic collaboration to local grassroots action.
Research Networks & Innovation
“Wonder is the beginning of philosophy” – Plato, Theaetetus
September 2024’s publication of “Phenomenology in Action in Networked Learning” (Springer) crystallised years of international collaboration. May proved transformative – from hosting Professor Cathy Adams in Swansea Bay, through our multi-disciplinary Cardiff workshop, to the Malta NLC 2024 conference roundtable where distinguished scholars like Professor Mark Vagle and Professor Lesley Gourlay engaged deeply with our work. Dr Maria Cutajar’s subsequent review in Post-Digital Science and Education (https://link.springer.com/article/10.1007/s42438-024-00526-6) highlighted our contribution to understanding digital-age learning experiences. Through hanfod.NL, these gatherings strengthened our Welsh-Canadian-Danish research community and beyond, while enriching my doctoral supervision practice.
2025: These phenomenological methodologies offer organisations and communities evidence-based tools for understanding human experience in modern learning environments – informing everything from curriculum design to organisational change.
Educational Innovation & Enterprise
“A horizon is not a rigid boundary but something that moves with one and invites one to advance further” – Hans-Georg Gadamer, Truth and Method
In 2024, the ISBE 2024 Best Paper Award for “An Entrepreneurial Education Pipeline,” supported by the National Academy for Educational Leadership (NaEL Cymru) and Careers Wales, validated our approach to transforming educational policy into practice. This, after a rich 13-week collaboration with Wuhan and Inner Mongolian University students, spanning disciplines from drone technology to ancient history, proving EntreComp’s versatility across cultures. This international recognition complemented the NaEL Cymru supported Llanelli EntreComp cluster project, where local schools demonstrated how entrepreneurial competences empower both educators and learners.
2025: The new “Harmonious Heroes: Building a Better Future for Llanelli” initiative exemplifies my approach – bringing together St. John Lloyd Comprehensive School and feeder primaries to address real community challenges through ethical enterprise.
Community Impact & Sustainable Development
“Care is the being of Dasein.” – Heidegger, Being and Time
2024 marked the Harmonious Entrepreneurship Society’s 4th birthday and recognition as runner-up in the National Enterprise Network Awards, validating our approach to balancing profit, people and planet. Working alongside Professor David Kirby, with endorsements from Welsh Government, UNESCO Bridges Hub, and Heddwch Cymru, impact and outputs extended internationally through the Learned Society of Wales to the Maharashtra Legislative Assembly. Locally, months of school interventions culminated in December’s inter-school INSET day, while collaboration with Quest for Future Solutions enabled facilitation of intergenerational Ysgol yr Hendy’s eco-council community climate dialogues at Canolfan Gwili Community Hub.
My work with Llanelli Township, a democratic Community Benefit Society, aligns educational initiatives with grassroots regeneration. The planned Llanell’ project exemplifies how entrepreneurial thinking can create spaces for community connection without commercial pressure – demonstrating how non-profit cooperative approaches can drive sustainable change.
For 2025, Emergent ThinkersTM consultancy will continue integrating these proven approaches:
- Phenomenological research informing organisational understanding
- Entrepreneurial education fostering innovation and resilience
- Sustainable development driving meaningful change
- Democratic community engagement creating lasting impact
When research insight meets values-driven action, transformative solutions emerge. The path ahead promises deeper exploration of how these complementary approaches can serve organisations and communities seeking sustainable change.
Wishing you all a year rich in possibility, purpose, and collaborative achievement. May your endeavours, whatever they may be, contribute to the positive change our communities need.
Happy New Year. Blwyddyn Newydd Dda.
Felicity
Emergent ThinkersTM
Emergent Thinkers™ 
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