Ben Reid-Howells
WORK IN THE FIELD
STRATEGY, SUPPORT, & GROWTH
Ben has collaborated with communities, schools, and organizations worldwide to create meaningful, lasting change. Explore some past projects to see how his work comes to life—and how similar approaches might support your own goals.
Curricular Consulting for United World Colleges
Pedagogical and curricular consulting, workshops for admin, teachers and students.
Ben has worked extensively with United World Colleges (UWC) across multiple countries, providing consulting, workshops, and mentorship to help align their educational approaches with principles of wellbeing, decolonization, and solidarity.
WHAT WAS DONE:
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Pedagogical and curricular consulting to refine educational models.
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Workshops for administrators, teachers, and students on holistic and needs-based learning.
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Facilitation of end-of-year ceremonies and student mentorship programs.
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Development of project-based learning intensives.
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Collaboration with key figures in the UWC movement to shape future educational strategies.
IMPACT:
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Strengthened alignment between UWC’s educational philosophy and real-world wellbeing and social justice practices.
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Provided staff and students with tools to engage in transformative education.
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Created new mentorship and project-based learning opportunities for students.
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Helped shape innovative teaching methods for future global leaders.
When l was a student at United World College (UWC) Mahindra College in India, Ben served as a great mentor for me in my activism on and off campus. He gave me great support and equipped me with the skills I needed in understanding power structures and how to work towards real change in systemic racial oppression.
- Rudo Ellen Kazembe, Zimbabwe / USA
Writer & Editor: Black Rap Magazine: "Afrikan students
for Afrikan liberation" - Lakeforest College, USA.
Online Facilitation Training
Online Anti-Oppressive Facilitation Training for Transnational Organisers
A 3-part training series designed for Humanity in Action’s international team of facilitators, equipping them with tools to create more inclusive, engaging, and effective online spaces. This train-the-trainer program covered facilitation techniques, accessibility, power dynamics, and community-building strategies to support transnational organizers.
WHAT WAS DONE:
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Designed and delivered a structured 3-part training series.
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Developed facilitator resources covering meeting design, community agreements, and engagement techniques.
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Addressed accessibility and inclusion, ensuring diverse participation and equitable interaction.
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Explored systemic power dynamics, equipping facilitators to challenge privilege and center marginalized voices.
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Provided strategies for fostering engagement and shared leadership in online communities.
IMPACT:
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Enhanced capacity of facilitators to create impactful and inclusive online spaces.
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Strengthened skills in navigating power dynamics and fostering brave, accessible discussions.
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Improved engagement and long-term community-building practices among organizers.
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Equipped facilitators with tangible tools to sustain connection and momentum beyond training sessions.
Organizational Overhaul & Leadership Transition
Building Sustainable Leadership in Regional Food Advocacy
Initially hired for communications work, I transitioned into the role of Director for Peel Food Action Council (PFAC), a regional coalition of politicians, government leaders, farmers, and community activists. My leadership focused on restructuring the organization to align with liberation-focused frameworks and ensuring long-term sustainability through inclusive leadership transitions.
WHAT WAS DONE:
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Led an organizational overhaul, implementing “Liberating Frameworks” to guide PFAC’s mission and operations.
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Facilitated a leadership transition, passing directorship to Indigenous land stewards and allies.
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Developed and executed communication strategies to expand PFAC’s network and visibility.
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Designed outreach materials and messaging to enhance public engagement.
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Hosted events featuring Indigenous land stewards.
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Facilitated trainings & created Community of Practice for young food advocates.
IMPACT:
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PFAC transitioned to a leadership model rooted in community-led stewardship and equity.
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Strengthened PFAC’s communications and public presence, increasing awareness and engagement.
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Established a sustainable framework for long-term impact and systemic change in regional food policy.
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Radicalised the food sovereignty movement in southern Ontario, Canada.
Museums & Galleries Scotland (MGS)
Creating an Evaluation & Accountability Framework for Systemic Change Across UK Museums
Museums Galleries Scotland is committed to making museums and galleries across Scotland more inclusive, accessible, and relevant to historically excluded voices. Since 2023, Ben has provided consulting support to help guide an internal review of policies, practices, and workplace culture, while also fostering external relationships with organizations, community groups, and activists.
This collaboration, conducted alongside Ben’s cofounder of the Ikake Rising collective, has focused on developing long-term strategies to ensure Scotland’s museums are more equitable and representative.
WHAT WAS DONE:
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Developed a Monitoring and Evaluation Framework to assess progress in inclusivity and systemic change.
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Created an Accountability Framework to align MGS’s work with the interests of marginalized communities.
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Designed communications resources to engage stakeholders and promote transparency.
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Built conflict-management toolkits for internal use.
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Led train-the-trainer programs to equip MGS's core team with the tools to address and transform issues related to classism, ableism, racism, and sexism.
IMPACT:
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Strengthened MGS’s ability to self-evaluate and measure progress toward inclusivity.
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Provided staff with practical tools and training to continue intersectional equity work independently.
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Improved relationships between MGS and community organizations advocating for systemic change.
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Ensured that Scotland’s museums take concrete steps toward lasting inclusivity and accessibility.
OPIRG Canada
Reconnecting with Land-Based Lifeways & Transforming Masculinity
WHAT WAS DONE:
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Deep Roots Ceilidh (2023):
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Organized a cultural gathering to celebrate and re-learn pre-industrial, pre-colonial ways of connecting and sharing.
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Provided pathways for participants of mixed ancestry (Indigenous and settler) to explore their roots and work towards solidarity.
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Hosted storytelling, music, and experiential learning activities.
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Workshop Series: Unpacking Toxic Masculinity & Moving Towards Collective Healing
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Facilitated discussions on how colonialism, capitalism, and patriarchy shape harmful expressions of masculinity.
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Provided frameworks for reimagining gender roles outside of extractivist systems.
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Designed a multi-modal learning experience, including:
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Visual learning resources
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Facilitated group dialogue
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Interactive activities
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Prompts for individual reflection
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Through a series of workshops hosted by OPIRG Canada, Ben facilitated spaces for participants to reconnect with pre-colonial, land-based practices and to critically examine toxic masculinity within a colonial framework. These workshops aimed to support organizers, activists, and community members in deepening their solidarity with Indigenous land defenders and exploring healthier models of gender and identity.
This work, co-hosted with Ben's former consulting start-up, Ikake Rising, provided interactive and experiential learning opportunities that combined historical analysis, dialogue, and embodied practice.
IMPACT:
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Helped participants develop practical, land-based practices for decolonization and Indigenous solidarity.
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Created space for collective healing by challenging colonial narratives around gender and identity.
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Strengthened community engagement and cross-cultural solidarity through experiential learning.
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Provided activists and organizers with tools to sustain their work without burnout.
Ga Gitigemi Gamik
(We Will Plant Lodge)
Supporting Indigenous Seed Sovereignty & Strategic Growth
Ga Gitigemi Gamik (We Will Plant Lodge), led by Celeste Smith, focuses on supporting Indigenous seed sovereignty, preserving traditional knowledge, and cultivating a sustainable future for Indigenous communities. Ben provided organizational support and worked closely with Celeste to design and review a business plan that aligned with her vision of empowering Indigenous communities through land-based practices. This project helped solidify the foundation for their growth and expanded their reach to potential partners, funders, and supporters.
WHAT WAS DONE:
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Worked with the Founding Director, Celeste Smith, to design and refine the organization's business plan.
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Conducted strategic planning sessions to align organizational goals with long-term growth.
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Provided design support for storytelling materials to showcase Ga Gitigemi Gamik’s mission and work.
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Helped create presentations and communications materials aimed at attracting potential funders and partners.
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Supported the organization in establishing a vision for long-term sustainability and impact.
IMPACT:
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Successfully positioned Ga Gitigemi Gamik to communicate its mission more effectively to a wider audience.
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Strengthened the organization’s ability to secure funding and build partnerships for future growth.
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Enhanced the ability of the organization to present its work from a strategic, professional perspective, allowing for broader community engagement.
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GGG is now expanding its team and seeking new Board members.
The Centre of Resilience
Building Climate-Resilient Futures in Bihar
The Centre of Resilience, co-founded by Ben as Co-Director, and Director Prashant Kumar, focuses on creating solutions for Bihar’s most pressing issues, including poverty, unsustainable development, and climate change vulnerability. Situated in North India, Ben has co-directed the Centre alongside Prashant to develop prototypes for self-reliant, climate-resilient housing and sustainable development practices. These prototypes are designed to address the immediate needs of the region while also promoting long-term sustainability through Indigenous knowledge, sustainable design, and community-driven solutions.
WHAT WAS DONE:
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Co-created and developed prototypes for climate-resilient housing, including a house that cleans its own wastewater, grows its own food, and harnesses solar energy.
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Integrated upcycled waste, natural materials, and traditional construction methods to create homes that are both sustainable and adaptable to local needs.
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Worked with Prashant and the Centre to design and implement skills training programs aimed at educating local workers in sustainable design and social entrepreneurship.
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Facilitated the development of a regional network of workers, activists, and entrepreneurs committed to addressing climate change and social injustice in Bihar.
IMPACT:
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Provided a scalable model for sustainable housing and climate adaptation in one of India’s most vulnerable regions.
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Empowered local communities by offering training and resources for becoming social entrepreneurs, improving livelihoods, and fostering local innovation.
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Strengthened Bihar’s regional network, creating pathways for collaboration and further development of sustainable practices to combat both environmental and social challenges.
Voces Mesoamericanos
Supporting Migrant Justice & Indigenous Communities in Mexico
Voces Mesoamericanos is a grassroots migrant justice organization based in Mexico, dedicated to protecting the human and legal rights of displaced peoples, including Indigenous communities and migrants from various countries. Ben supported their Men’s School initiative by facilitating sessions for the Indigenous Men’s Group, while also providing logistical support, interpretation services, and assistance with global partnerships. His work helped strengthen Voces’ ability to address the complex needs of displaced populations and build cross-cultural connections for long-term solidarity.
WHAT WAS DONE:
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Facilitated sessions for Voces’ Indigenous Men’s Group, addressing topics of empowerment, identity, and resilience in the context of displacement.
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Provided logistical support to Voces, ensuring smooth execution of programs and effective community engagement.
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Offered interpretation services, ensuring clear communication across different languages and cultural contexts.
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Assisted in building global partnerships to expand Voces' network and strengthen their advocacy work on behalf of displaced peoples.
IMPACT:
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Empowered Indigenous men through targeted, culturally relevant programming, fostering leadership and solidarity within the community.
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Strengthened Voces Mesoamericanos' capacity to serve displaced populations, improving access to resources and support services.
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Facilitated the creation of global partnerships, amplifying the reach and influence of Voces' migrant justice work and building a stronger, interconnected network of support for displaced communities.
Benjamin es un hombre con una gran fuerza de voluntad, excelente comunicador que sabe conectar con las partes más sensibles de la gente pero sobre todo muy enfocado y claro para localizar objetivos y medios de acción para conseguirlos. Compartir con Benjamin mi trabajo de conocimientos antiguos a sido como un refrescar en mi espíritu de lucha por una mejor y más justa humanidad, que por momentos perdía de vista lo importante que es. El escuchar el ímpetu que tiene el verlo trabajar tan fuertemente por hacerlo llegar a más personas y el mirar el amor y la convicción con la que se entrega a los proyectos fue para mi conmovedor y reconfortante además de recordarme que sigo en la lucha y que desde cada trinchera se hace lo propio así que también es como un multivitamínico para el espíritu. Es un luchador social activista necesario para impulsar los cambios sociales que requiere la humanidad.
Benjamin is a man with great willpower, an excellent communicator who knows how to connect with the most sensitive parts of people but above all, he is very focused and clear in identifying objectives and the means of action to accomplish them.
Sharing with Benjamin my work of ancient knowledge has refreshed my spirit in the struggle for a better and more just humanity, the importance of which I have, at times, lost sight. To see the impetus he has, to see him work so hard to bring my teachings to more people, and to see the love and conviction with which Benjamin engages in projects has both moved me and comforted me, as well as reminding me to continue in the struggle. He is a multivitamin for the spirit, and a social activist necessary in bringing about the social changes that humanity requires.
- Alma Martinez Santiago, México
Healer, Psychologist, Nahuatl Knowledge Holder
Himalayan Climate Initiative
Building Capacity for Climate Action and Education in Nepal
Museums Galleries Scotland is committed to making museums and galleries across Scotland more inclusive, accessible, and relevant to historically excluded voices. Since 2023, Ben has provided consulting support to help guide an internal review of policies, practices, and workplace culture, while also fostering external relationships with organizations, community groups, and activists.
This collaboration focused on developing long-term strategies to ensure Scotland’s museums are more equitable and representative.
WHAT WAS DONE:
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Delivered train-the-trainer programs for HCI’s youth team, building their capacity to lead climate action initiatives and educational projects.
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Led a series of workshops for educators across Nepal, sharing frameworks for project-based and service-based learning.
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Introduced intersectional educational practices to ensure that climate resilience education was inclusive and accessible to all communities, with a focus on marginalized groups.
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Facilitated hands-on learning experiences, enabling participants to directly engage with climate resilience concepts and strategies.
IMPACT:
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Empowered Nepali youth with the skills and knowledge to become leaders in climate action and resilience-building within their communities.
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Equipped educators with innovative tools and strategies to integrate climate education into their curricula, fostering a new generation of climate-conscious citizens.
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Strengthened the capacity of local communities to respond to climate change, promoting sustainable practices and fostering long-term resilience across Nepal.
Ben Reid-Howells
© 2025 Ben Reid-Howells. All rights reserved.