School of Commons (SoC) is a global community-learning space dedicated to the study and development of self-organized knowledge production through commons-based methods and practices.

We have supported over 140 projects since our foundation in 2017, with the content and position of SoC defined by our community. Research is conducted as peer-based collaborative endeavours with annually changing members. Each year brings together a wide range of participants, guests, and contributors who share their curiosity, skills, and visions. This collaborative framework allows us to connect ideas across various fields and develop a broader and more integrative understanding of knowledge. We offer personal support, financial resources, and an active community of peers and experts.

SoC’s program is developed bottom-up rather than top-down; instead of providing a fixed curriculum, we encourage our participants to actively shape our program, either by organizing and hosting events themselves or by inviting guest speakers and tutors who are relevant to their research. SoC is there to support and help organize the educational program you would like to have.

With SoC, we hope to establish a community of practitioners in which reciprocal exchange, peer learning, and a friendly atmosphere are the main ingredients. We want our participants to feel like they are part of a larger whole, in which their presence is valued and necessary. We aim to develop a program that is open to all, making the knowledge and practices that arise from our labs publicly available.

We are located at the Zürcher Hochschule der Künste (ZHdK) but the program takes place mostly online.