MASD Student Led Panels
A series of online events organised by the students on MA Service Design
London College of Communication
Designing the Future of Wellness: Innovative Approaches to Healthcare and Well-being
Join us for a panel talk on “Healthcare and Wellbeing,” featuring leading experts discussing realms of healthcare design, healthcare equity, and holistic approaches to wellbeing. Engage in a Q&A session to gain valuable insights and contribute to shaping a healthier future for all.
Our Panellists:
Karim Sandid, MD Medical Doctor at NHS and Healthcare Designer
Karim is a knowledgeable General Practitioner who has practiced in Paris and London, combining his medical expertise with a Master’s in Healthcare and Design to support health innovators at Prova Health. He advocates for an interdisciplinary approach to healthcare and fosters evidence-based solutions for digital health and life sciences companies.
Dr Silvia Grimaldi, Reader in Service Design and Collaborative Futures
Dr. Silvia Grimaldi is a renowned Reader in Service Design and Collaborative Futures at LCC, UAL, with a strong track record of leading impactful projects, including her work on user-centered design tools for plant molecular pharmaceuticals.She co-designed policies and solutions for family services, homelessness, and food delivery systems, highlighting the transformative role of design in healthcare and societal challenges.
What do you mean by systems thinking? A discussion between experts from design, futures, and OD
In this discussion, our panel of experts unpack what is systems thinking, why it is used in so many different fields, and how it is similar and different between the different domains they work in (design, futures, organisation development). Whether you are new to systems thinking or a veteran, come dig a little deeper and find more ways to see and shift systems.
Panel Members
Abril Chimal – Chief Pollinator, Participatory Futures Global Swam
Abril Chimal has a background in graphic design and a post graduate specialisation in Design of Tomorrow at CENTRO in Mexico City. She is currently the Chief Pollinator for the Participatory Futures Global Swarm and Technical Editor for the Journal of Futures Studies, professor of Creativity and Futures Thinking at CENTRO. Winner of the Second Futures Research Grant Prince Mohammad Bin Fahd Center for Futuristic Studies (PMFCFS) and the World Futures Studies Federation (WFSF) “Futures of Circular Economy in Mexico City”.
Alison Prendiville – Professor of Service Design, University of the Arts London
Dr Alison Prendiville is Professor of Service Design, at LCC University of the Arts London. She has a keen interest in understanding the contribution of design as a means of co-creating and translating knowledge between diverse actors, particularly when dealing with complex societal challenges. Her research is informed through design anthropology, whilst also incorporating related systemic design approaches to map and locate interventions.
Dr Douglas O’Loughlin – Principal, The Dao of Thriving
Dr Douglas O’Loughlin believes our organisations and communities can be life-giving spaces, where we can contribute to the growth and development of the individuals and the larger systems. Having been in the field of OD since 1988, he honours the values of the field, such as taking a total system view, respect for human dignity, collaboration, authenticity, and social justice.
Zafer Bilda – Director, Desidero
Zafer has 16 years of experience helping businesses define future services/experiences, and improve their product/service offers based on customer insights. He has worked in diverse sectors with top-tier global corporations and design studios. During his academic career, he published over 40 research papers and presented his work in the US, Europe, and Australia.
Ways to Enhance Urban Lives at Individual and Community Level
This panel discussion explores how individuals and communities can thrive in urban environments by bringing together professionals that work across different disciplines. We will look at the challenges and opportunities that arise when approaching their practice from a human experience perspective, as well as how collaboration can happen in real-life scenarios.
Panelists:
Clémence Martin-Beaumont – Open Innovation Manager, Connected Places Catapult
Clemence Martin Beaumont, an experienced designer, recognizes the evolving complexity of human-environment relations and the need for comprehensive design solutions. With a background in industrial design and specialization in service and experience design, she currently works at Connected Places Catapult. Clemence’s interdisciplinary approach and international training in Paris and London enable her to offer innovative and user-centered experiences. She embraces the diversity of projects and people, making her a valuable asset in creating optimized and innovative global user experiences.
Dr. David Roberts Director, Urban Studies Program, Associate Professor, Teaching Stream Innis College, University of Toronto
After completing his PhD in Geography at the University of Toronto, Dr. David Roberts joined the Urban Studies Program in 2013. Prior to this, he engaged in meaningful work at a shelter for homeless and refugee teenagers in Seattle, igniting a deep interest in urban issues and urban life. His commitment to create livable and equitable urban futures is evident in his role as a professor and citizen of the University and City of Toronto; most notably through his research, community engagement, and teaching practices.
Dr. Terri Peters Assistant Professor of Architectural Science, Toronto Metropolitan University
Dr. Terri Peters is a Canadian architect and researcher based in Toronto at Toronto Metropolitan University (formerly Ryerson) as an Assistant Professor. She is also a Registered Architect in the UK and holds a PhD in sustainable housing from Aarhus Architecture School in Denmark. Her research explores the social and human dimensions of green architecture. Her work on super architecture, prioritizing elements like wide-open views, good air flow, and access to the outdoors for improved health. Peters advocates for these principles in Canada, emphasizing the importance of both our natural environment and our overall well-being in architectural design.
Nature as a Co-designer: Embracing Nature as a Collaborative Partner for a Circular Future
Join us for an online panel discussion on the role of nature in the design process! Our panelists explore how nature can be a co-designer, providing inspiration, guidance, and solutions to the challenges of sustainability.
The discussion will cover three main topics: Life-centered design: How can we embrace design for the planet, humans and nature as a methodology? Designing for Circularity: How can we design systems that are more nature centric and develop environmental sustainability in the private sector? Fostering a culture of sustainability: How can we foster sustainable cultures among individuals and communities through education and communication?
Panel Members
Digby Usher – Associate Lecturer, Service Design and Interaction Design, UAL
Digby Usher is a biodesigner and researcher with an interdisciplinary practice oriented towards design-led civic and biosocial engagement. An Associate Lecturer on Service Design and Interaction Design, his experience in community co-design within local councils such as Future Neighbourhoods 2030, Camden Council, and Southwark Council facilitate spaces for agency and futuring. While also embracing a focus to understand and co-create with multi-species encounters.
Jeroen Spoelstra – Founder of the Life-Centered Design School and Unbeaten Studio
Jeroen Spoelstra is one of the leading figures in the design world on Life Centered Design. He lives with his family in a tiny village where he runs three enterprises: Unbeaten Studio, the Life-Centered Design School and a mountain bike guiding company. With nearly 20 years of design experience in product design, human-centered design & education, Jeroen shifted to Life-Centered Design inspired by his move to the Spanish Pyrenees, witnessing climate change first-hand and how this affects nature & the local communities. He developed a life-centered design philosophy and practical approach. He helps creative professionals transition from human-centred design to life-centred design. He creates the space for them to build a mindset and skills to design in climate-friendly and socially just ways.
Jonah Belitz – Sustainability Strategy Consultant, Accenture
Jonah Belitz is guided by a vision of circular societies operating within safe and just Earth System boundaries across the world. He has 5+ years of experience as a sustainability consultant and has supported several clients in adopting and scaling circular business models. Jonah is advocating for *sufficiency* to be placed at the centre of our collective ambitions to bring economies back in balance with nature.
Roberto Battistoni – IBM Envizi ESG(Environmental, Social and Governance) Growth Lead
Roberto is passionate about sustainability, innovation, and data. He has been working in IBM for 7 years supporting clients in the areas of AI, Business Development, Transparency and ESG reporting. As part of his business development remit, Roberto has worked on a number of technology focussed pilots. In his spare time, Roberto is also a member of the BFTT UAL Steering Committee, a sustainability start-up advisor and Football U7 team manager.
Dr Rachel Clarke – Course leader, BA (Hons) Design for Climate Justice, UAL
Dr Rachel Clarke is a design researcher and practitioner who combines visual communication with qualitative research, performance and storytelling on issues of climate change, sustainability and social inequality. She has exhibited work internationally and co-authored research papers across design research, human-computer interaction (HCI), and social sciences. She is currently co-editing a new book, Designing More-than-Human Smart Cities: Beyond Sustainability, Towards Cohabitation with Oxford University Press (forthcoming 2023) and is an advisor for DEFRA’s Futures Group. She is course leader for the new BA (Hons) Design for Climate Justice. https://racheleclarke.com
Patricia Carbonell – Head of REVOLVE Barcelona Office
Patricia is an experienced communicator and creative thinker with a solid background in multimedia storytelling. She holds a Master’s degree in Media, Communications, and Critical Practice from the London College of Communication (2013), with a thesis on communicating climate change in the media. As Head of the Barcelona Office at REVOLVE, she leads a creative team and manages communications of EU-funded Research and Innovation projects related to agroecology and soil health, as well as adaption to climate change in cities and regions. For the past 6 years, Patricia has been building a community of journalists and media professionals with the aim of raising awareness about the value of water, and engaging with non-technical audiences around the Mediterranean region.