UNSW students unite with universities across the globe to tackle dementia

Developing innovative solutions that lead to dementia-friendly environments was the challenge to tackle for 147 students from 21 countries who came together as part of the competitive 2020 TEDI-London Summer School.

Launched last year, the pioneering summer school provides hands-on learning through design and engineering projects inspired and created by a wide variety of industry partners. This year’s program was centred around the theme of ‘Dementia Friendly Communities’ and saw students from all disciplines work closely with industry, NGO’s, local governments, and academics to fight this global challenge. 

By 2030, it is predicted 82 million people worldwide will be living with dementia and there is an urgent need to find innovative ways to support them and their families to prevent further overloading of already stretched health and social care systems.

In total, 69 UNSW students from five faculties took part in TEDI-London’s challenging eight-week online program alongside students from 19 other universities. In mixed teams of 10, students responded to an industry project brief from one of the largest property development and investment companies in the United Kingdom, British Land, to design dementia inclusive interventions into the Canada Wharf development in London. At the end of the program, all teams had to present their final pitches to an industry panel to be in with a chance of taking the top prize.

Canada Water development artist impression

Selena Griffith, TEDI-London mentor and Senior Lecturer at UNSW Art and Design, said:

“UNSW aspires to develop globally focussed graduates who are capable of leadership and professional practice in an international community. This cross disciplinary, industry engaged, and entrepreneurial initiative is an exemplar of what we articulate the total learning experience could be for our students. I was delighted to have the opportunity to mentor the winning team for the duration of the program.”

The prize-winning team, WANA, comprising four UNSW students plus students from Ireland, England, and Portugal, has won a well-deserved trip to London to complete their work with British Land (worth GBP15,000).

The winning UNSW team members were:

• Kieran Maguire - Master of Architecture (Social Agency) / Diploma of Languages (Korean)
• Daohan Fan - Bachelor of Chemical Engineering (Hons.)/ Master of Biomedical Engineering
• Feras Elgalad - Bachelor of Mechanical Engineering
• Imogen Hunter - Bachelor of Design (Hons.)/ Media (PR and Advertising) 

While students were not able to physically travel to take part in this year’s program due to COVID-19, the virtual international experience has proven to enhance students’ responsibility as global citizens in solving real world problems. 

Kieran Maguire (pictured) spoke of his teams’ prototype that aims to create a long-term solution to tackle dementia and what motivated him to apply for the program.

“My ambition of contributing towards a more equitable world through architecture is what drives me and I am grateful for the opportunity I had to take part in the TEDI-London Summer School.” 

“The mentoring sessions and frameworks really gave me the insight into what strengths and weaknesses I have. As a natural leader, I often found myself projecting my own ideas before giving others a chance. Rather than dominating a project, I learnt how to be part of a project - and our final product was a truly collaborative effort.”

 “My team created the prototype 'WeLink' which delivers instant dementia-inclusive community hubs, formed of recycled shipping containers to the Canada Water development site. The hubs will function as community engagement centres to bring together all residents, especially people with dementia, with the end goal of having a co-designed garden space in Canada Water. Similar to London's approach to the Olympic Games, we looked beyond the temporary nature of our instant communities and considered the legacy they can leave behind.”

After completing the Summer School, 46 UNSW students from the 2020 class have been inspired to continue their design thinking for dementia friendly communities and signed up for an additional four weeks as part of the Thinking Ahead program.