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Themes: Assistive & Accessible Technology, Inclusive Design

GDI Hub welcomes first cohort of Disability, Design and Innovation MSc students

As the new academic year begins and Autumn descends on London, the Global Disability Innovation Hub (GDI Hub) was delighted to meet its first group of MSc students, joining the GDI Hub’s ground-breaking new masters course in Disability, Design and Innovation.

Students from across the world have travelled to UCL to begin a year of study that will prepare them to become future leaders in the emerging field of disability innovation. With backgrounds in science and engineering, arts and design, the students will embark on a year of exploration; getting to grips with the context and landscape of the disability innovation sector, and exploring the possibilities of this growing area of study.

Uniquely multidisciplinary students joining the Disability, Design and Innovation MSc will study across three top London academic institutions; UCL, Loughborough University London and the London College of Fashion. Each specialising in their individual areas of expertise, new students will have the opportunity to learn about inclusive design and making alongside international development and business, providing a foundation for graduates to succeed in their own start-ups or work within the disability innovation sector globally.

Based predominantly at UCL’s new campus in London’s Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park, students will find themselves be at the heart of the East London Inclusive Enterprise Zone (ELIEZ), the UK’s most accessible technology hub. Joining this dynamic ecosystem of start-ups, businesses, universities and NGO’s; the GDI Hub’s first cohort of MSc students will be studying on the site of the London 2012 Olympic and Paralympic Games, a stones-throw away from the London Stadium and the architecturally renowned Aquatics Centre and Velodrome.

GDI Hub Associate Professor, Dr Tim Adlam said “The GDI Hub is delighted to welcome its first cohort of Disability, Design and Innovation students to London. Over the next year these students will be equipped with knowledge and skills to question, create and innovate. Technology has the ability to change lives, but many disabled people are without access. We are creating the next generation of pioneers to push the boundaries of this evolving field and have a positive impact on the lives of disability people globally.”

Applications are now open for the 2020 intake.

MSc students cohort in a UCL building.
2019 MSc cohort
Cathy Holloway is standing giving a presentation to students that are gathered by a workshop table.
MSc students begin seminars

The GDI Hub is delighted to welcome its first cohort of Disability, Design and Innovation students to London. Over the next year these students will be equipped with knowledge and skills to question, create and innovate. Technology has the ability to change lives, but many disabled people are without access. We are creating the next generation of pioneers to push the boundaries of this evolving field and have a positive impact on the lives of disability people globally.

Dr Tim Adlam, GDI Hub Associate Professor