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Personal profile

Biography

My work explores the role of design and the use infrastructuring as a strategy to support co-creation of improved policy and services for social innovation. I am interested in the dynamics of grassroots participatory infrastructuring and the role of design and the Designer in this. I am keen to understand what spaces, roles, tools, languages and practices enable people to be truly innovative and entrepreneurial. I would like to understand this to know how we can help individuals within communities to grow the confidence, agency and skills to be able to address their own needs and desires, creating a culture of sustainable social innovation.

 

I am interested in how to create a vibrant and fruitful research culture within a design school and through micro projects am exploring the role of a design school promoting social justice within a civic university.

I am keen to develop new models of pedagogy making use of innovative technologies and accommodating different learning styles. I believe that providing students with experiential learning opportunities, collaborating with uncommon combinations of organisations and people, will create the environment where we can joinly take positive action on the grand challenges of the modern world.

As Senior Research Assistant on the Arts and Humanities Research Council and European Regional Development Fund supported programme Creative Fuse North East, I design and co-facilitate creative workshops and internship programmes with business owners of cross-sector small to medium enterprises helping them identify how they might innovate within or between their organisations.

My practice-based research is multidisciplinary in its approach and is grounded in values of inclusivity, accessibility empowerment and kindness.

I am currently working on the Creative Fuse North East research programme and co-producing the Designamite Podcast which explores the research, teaching and practice of Northumbria's School of Design.

Expertise related to UN Sustainable Development Goals

In 2015, UN member states agreed to 17 global Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) to end poverty, protect the planet and ensure prosperity for all. This person’s work contributes towards the following SDG(s):

  • SDG 3 - Good Health and Well-being
  • SDG 4 - Quality Education
  • SDG 8 - Decent Work and Economic Growth
  • SDG 9 - Industry, Innovation, and Infrastructure
  • SDG 10 - Reduced Inequalities
  • SDG 11 - Sustainable Cities and Communities
  • SDG 17 - Partnerships for the Goals

Education/Academic qualification

Design Studies, MA, Northumbria University

Award Date: 30 Sep 2021

Other Courses, BSc (Hons)

1 Jan 199831 Dec 2099

Award Date: 1 Jan 1998

Other Courses, BSc (Hons)

Award Date: 1 Jan 1998

External positions

Self Employed Innovation and Strategy Consultant

1 Oct 2021 → …

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