Design History and Expansive Historical Research: Emma Gieben Gamal in conversation

Emma Gieben Gamal is Lecturer in Design Cultures at Edinburgh College of Art, University of Edinburgh, and ECA Director of Equality, Diversity and Inclusion. Her work is driven by an interest in the relationship between design and identity and is increasingly motivated by a commitment to social justice and design ethics. Her teaching and research engage the disciplines of design, material culture studies, anthropology, sociology and the health humanities and employs creative qualitative research practices. Having studied design history and material culture at the V&A/RCA, Emma continues to bring a historical eye to her work, but the focus of her teaching and research is now on the critically informed and politically motivated area of contemporary social design. Within this, she has a particular interest in disability and ageing studies and design that seeks to generate inclusive and emancipatory approaches to the built and material environment. Emma’s most recent research explores ageism within contemporary culture and design practice and she is currently working on a project with older people to explore the importance of material belongings in the maintenance of a strong sense of place and self as they transition to life in a care home.

This event is part of the V&A/RCA History of Design 2022 Research Forum Series, which this year marks the 40th anniversary of our MA, as the first postgraduate programme in History of Design in the world. Our distinguished speakers this year all have direct past associations with the Programme and have been invited to dialogue with us, from their different perspectives, on the ways that Design History has informed cultural production in the wider world. Through these talks and in-conversations, the Research Forum Series for Autumn 2022 addresses Design History as an interdisciplinary and public-facing practice. Join us as we open up how History of Design at the V&A/RCA has made a contribution in many fields.

This will be a zoom streaming of a talk for V&A/RCA MA History of Design students. Alumni and the public are welcome to attend online and put forward questions during the event.

Join via Zoom