Healthpunk: speculative methods for the future of planetary health.

Abstract

Challenges in planetary health necessitate the use of science fiction and speculative futurisms as tools for transformative change. A critical gap, however, is the absence of a framework for activating science fiction and speculative futurisms to address crises of imagination that obstruct planetary health and impede the advancement of corresponding transformation. We introduce healthpunk as an emerging science fiction and speculative futurisms framework that integrates speculative thinking with a focus on planetary health. A series of interventions involving students and professionals from diverse sectors was undertaken to identify key elements of such a framework. These interventions led to the co-creation of multiple anthologies on planetary health futures and indicated a positive reception of science fiction and speculative futurisms as a means of transforming planetary health among an expanding community of authors and readers. At the same time, the findings underscore the need for methodological guidance. We argue that a dedicated healthpunk training programme, grounded in a fully developed framework, could address existing challenges and enable the full potential of science fiction and speculative futurisms within planetary health practice.