UAL DESIS Lab Café

The UAL DESIS Lab Café will bring together UAL staff, research students, and external experts to examine state-of-the-art thinking in the field of design for social innovation and sustainability. We'll highlight applied practice examples, and discuss emerging opportunities for design stakeholders.

The UAL DESIS Lab aims to energise the design research community, showcase best practice across the colleges, and foster external engagement and future collaboration opportunities.

[Cover image: Sanne Visser's HairCycle (2025) by Angela-Tozzi]

AGENDA

13:30 - Registration and Refreshments

14:00 - Welcome from Professor Trevor Keeble, Pro Vice Chancellor Research, Knowledge Exchange, UAL)

14:10 - Introduction to UAL DESIS Lab - Professor Adam Thorpe

14:25 - Our Practice: UAL case study session- Chaired by Professor Becky Earley

Including a presentation of the themes from the case study work conducted by Sanne Visser and a panel to include project leads from case studies from across all colleges.

15:25 - Break

15:45 - Keynote Panel - Chaired by Professor Lorraine Gamman

Leading experts - including Professor Geoff Mulgan (UCL), Professor Yanki Lee (Enable Foundation and Kolding School of Design, Denmark) and Cat Drew (Design Council) - will explore the question "What is the future of participatory design for social innovation and sustainability?"

16:45 - Future ambitions? Open mic session - Chaired by Dr. Francesco Mazzarella

17:00 - Closing comments– Chaired by Professor Alison Prendiville

17:15 - Drinks Reception

18:00 - Close