World's first master’s in disability, design and innovation announced

Thu,6 June 2019
News Education

World's first master’s in disability, design and innovation at the Global Disability Innovation Hub

A new course has been developed by the Global Disability Innovation Hub (GDI Hub) to encourage innovation in assistive technology and products.

The MSc in Disability, Design and Innovation will be available from September 2019 and is delivered by UCL in three locations, including Loughborough University London.

It is the first master’s in the world that will focus on disability, design and innovation.

As disability and mobility are being given wider attention, there is a growing need for adaptive products that increase accessibility as well as future technologies that will aid an increasingly ageing population.

The programme aims to give students the skills needed to be involved in international development, create start-ups and work with bigger businesses. Modules will be taught by experts in the field from across the globe.

Modules will include:

  • Accessibility and assistive technology
  • Research methods and making skills
  • Design thinking
  • Future global technologies for disability and development

Students will also be involved in the GDI Hub AT2030 project, a £10 million assistive technology programme that aims to reach three million people worldwide.

Kamran Mallick, CEO of Disability Rights UK commented: "We welcome this significant development. It is critical that disabled people are included in design and can benefit from technological innovation."

Professor Mikko Koria, Associate Dean for Enterprise, Professor of Design Innovation and Director of the Institute for Design Innovation at Loughborough University London commented: “The students who would like to do this can expect something which is a little bit out of the ordinary because it looks at things from very different sides across three universities. 

“It creates a richness around the master’s programme that is unique and exceptional.”

More information on the course can be found here.