The I.N.S.E.C.T. Summercamp, now in its second year, brings together designers, architects, artists, biologists, entomologists, ecologists, and like-minded researchers to improve methodologies around multispecies co-creation and design. We call ourselves the I.N.S.E.C.T. Collective and we hope to make this annual event a critical locus for building and sharing new methodologies for a changing world.

We are particularly interested in interacting with and designing for insects and other, commonly-overlooked organisms. Last year we concentrated on prototyping a digitally-designed insect hotel in Part 1. In Part 2, we explored ways-of-being with insects through experimental methods such as meditation, perception walks, primal play, wearable props and more.

This year the event will take place at a scout camp and farm in Hvalsø, Denmark where we will explore deeper relationships with the local species of the Bidstrup forest. We will create species profiles and map cross-species symbioses. This relational map will be our basis for experimental explorations to build greater empathy with our companions through co-created activities designed by participants.

The camp is based on methods of co-creation, which means that this event is open for you to explore your interests, ideas, and questions, so we can investigate and manifest them together. Our co-creation ranges from setting the food menu, designing activities and focus groups on particular topics, to arranging the schedule for the day.

Our goal is to create a community where we support one another, create continuing discussions and creative work by co-creating projects, events, research publications, artworks, etcetera.

Publications:

Keune, Svenja, Colleen Ludwig, Katka Černá, Anneke ter Schure, and Julia Tabet. “Staying with Complexity through Multispecies Companionship at the I.N.S.E.C.T. Summercamp 2023.” In More-than-Human Design in Practice, edited by Anton Poikolainen Rosén, Antti Salovaara, Andrea Botero, and Marie Louise Juul Søndergaard. Abingdon, Oxon ; New York, NY: Routledge, 2025.