Carmen Valenzuela

For Carmen Valenzuela Chapetón, studying the MSc Green Economy at Bournemouth University was about strengthening her existing career in design with deeper sustainability expertise.

The programme’s practical focus, broad range of topics and flexible online format allowed her to continue running her businesses while developing a strong foundation in environmental management, policy and circular economy principles.

One of the highlights of her studies was a placement with The Carbon Literacy Project, where she developed a Carbon Literacy course specifically for designers. Carmen says the programme’s circular economy modules continue to influence both her professional work and artistic practice.

Today, Carmen is co-founder of VCH Studio, which collaborates with NGOs, international organisations and public institutions on projects addressing social and environmental challenges. She is also the founder of Hablemos de Futuros, an initiative that makes sustainability and Carbon Literacy more accessible to Spanish-speaking audiences through workshops, courses and educational resources.

Reflecting on her career, Carmen says the common thread has always been using design to make complex environmental issues more understandable and actionable.

“What I enjoy most is translating complex sustainability concepts into something people can actually connect with and use.”

Her advice to students is simple: don’t see sustainability as separate from your discipline. Building technical knowledge, she says, can strengthen your creative practice, broaden your impact and open doors to new opportunities for change.