Mikaela Patrick
Head of Research and Delivery
Mikaela is Head of Research and Delivery at the Global Disability Innovation Hub where she leads a team of researchers to deliver a portfolio of work advancing disability inclusion and innovation through cross cutting themes including infrastructure, cities, climate change, gender and financial inclusion.
Mikaela is a strategic research leader and trained architect with 12 years of experience in inclusive design, global health, climate change, architectural practice and urban development, Mikaela consistently advocates for the application of inclusive design approaches in global development and regularly writes, teaches and speaks on global stages on the topic of inclusive design.
Mikaela is based in Barcelona but regularly spends time at head office in London and in the field. Highlights of Mikaela’s work at GDI Hub include leading the AT2030 Inclusive Infrastructure sub-programme, a £1 million research project on the current state of inclusive design in cities worldwide, working with disabled people and local partners in Mongolia, Indonesia, India, Kenya, Sierra Leone and Colombia to co-design solutions. This has led to the publication of a ‘Global Action Report for Inclusive Design in Cities’ which has now received further funding to be piloted in Ethiopia this year. Mikaela also leads GDI Hub’s work in climate resilience, leading events at COP26 and COP28, the first events to specifically address inclusive and resilient in cities at COP.
Recently, Mikaela co-authored the background paper on Urbanisation for the 2025 Global Disability Inclusion Report, published at the Global Disability Summit. In 2025, Mikaela was awarded the Helen Hamlyn Centre for Design Alumni award for her contributions to the field of inclusive design.
