Themes: Assistive & Accessible Technology, Inclusive Design
Launching the world’s first MSc in Global Disability Innovation
Technology has the potential to change lives, no more so than in the emerging area of disability innovation. With the accelerating global demand for Assistive Technology (AT), the Global Disability Innovation Hub (GDI Hub) has launched a groundbreaking Masters course starting in September 2019.
Awarded by UCL, a top 10 world university (QS 2019), the MSc in Disability, Design and Innovation will bring together design engineering with global policy and the societal context of disability. Taught by renowned experts in disability, design and technology, students will experiencea fast-paced, dynamic learning environment, where theory is immediately taken into practice.
The multidisciplinary course will harness academic excellence, innovative practice and co-creation to tackle global challenges from a new perspective. Delivered across three top institutions (UCL, Loughborough University London and the London College of Fashion) the MSc offers a uniquely collaborative learning approach.
Applications close on the 12thJuly 2019 - visit the MSc page to find out more.
Student experience
The GDI Hub is at the forefront of the global Assistive Technology movement. Students joining the MSc programme will study within a live delivery environment, alongside flagship disability innovation projects including AT2030 (Life Changing Assistive Technology for All), a £10m global programme lead by the GDI Hub to reach over 3 million people, testing new approaches and backing ‘what works’ to get Assistive Technology to those who need it. AT2030 tackles the issues of identity and stigma, markets and products and ultimately works across domains to deliver a new approach to the design, delivery and development of the Assistive Technology space to ensure disabled people are fully included in society.
GDI Hub works alongside global partners, NGOs and DPO’s, innovative businesses, governmental departments and leading academics, innovators and influencers. Career options for students graduating from the MSc include inclusive design and innovation, global policy and research, disability rights, international development, accessibility and assistive technologies, start-up and entrepreneurship.
Scholarships
Three Snowdon Trust scholarships are available for UK-based disabled students. One scholarship will fund tuition and a bursary, two will fund tuition only. The GDI Hub and Snowdon Trust and are encouraging high achieving disabled students to apply. A further scholarship is available to US based students via The UCL Friends & Alumni Association, a non-profit organisation connecting talented American students with the opportunities offered at UCL.
“The global potential for disability innovation is huge. New technologies provide opportunities for scalability and access, but to accelerate this movement we need a new generation of pioneers. The Disability, Design and Innovation Masters is the world’s first course in this rapidly growing area of expertise. Students will be taught in a uniquely multidisciplinary environment, learning from global experts, live research projects and high profile global collaborations. We’re looking for exceptional students with the drive and determination to push the boundaries of this new area of study.”
Dr Catherine Holloway, Academic Director of the GDI Hub
