Nicholas B. Torretta is a PhD Candidate at Umeå Institute of Design. Nicholas’ research interest is in democratizing social innovation for sustainability by levelling power structures in participatory processes. His focus is on anti-oppressive, respectful and decolonial approaches for participatory design processes.

Originally from Brazil, Nicholas has worked with participatory design for sustainability in projects on solidarity economy, social development, social inclusion, education and immigration projects with various organizations, universities and governmental organizations such as the UN, RISE Interactive, UniSol, Design Possível, Dodo Ngo, Mundaréu, Sesc/Senac, and others in Brazil, Finland, Mozambique and Sweden.