open-ended

#11 Esra'a Al Shafei on Platforming Marginalised Voices Esra'a Al Shafei is a Bahraini human rights activist and founder of Majal.org, a network of digital platforms that amplify under-reported and marginalized voices in the Middle East, North Africa and beyond; building communities that celebrate, protect and promote diversity and social justice. Director’s Fellow at the MIT Media Lab,...

#10 Marquise Stillwell on Community through Design Marquise Stillwell's work spans art, culture, film and the problems (and solutions) of design in the world’s major cities. He speaks about life as an editor, film producer, curator, philanthropist and increasingly, a voice for social justice. In 2009 Marquise founded Openbox in New York City - bringing together designers, researchers, and urb...

/ Dr. Jessica Wade is a fantastic physicist with multiple scientific awards under the belt of her lab coat. By day she works on her post-doc on chiral organic light-emitting diodes at Imperial College London and by night she is a whizz on Wikipedia. Amongst many other professional projects, Jess is aiming to diversify the science world through her work and voice. She has now written over 1150 Wiki...

Leila Meroue is the founding director of the NGO Let’s Build My School and her own architectural practice LM Architecture. Focused on sustainability and humanitarian work, Leila speaks to us about her research and design methodology; and her work and interests in the natural world, sustainable materials, and community empowerment. Let’s Build My School is an initiative which uses locally sourced m...

/ Priya Khanchandani has been a bright light in the world of design for most of her career across continents. A writer, curator and commentator (and trained solicitor!), she’s just stepping into her new role as the Head of Curatorial and Interpretation at the Design Museum in London. Once a curator at the V&A in London Priya kicked off their seminal contemporary design acquisitions program — b...

/ Jayden Ali’s practice sits at the intersection of architecture, urban strategy, art and performance. He is the Founding Director of interdisciplinary practice JA Projects and (not your typical professor) he's a unit leader and lecturer in the incredible MA Architecture program at Central Saint Martins. At once a teacher, writer, filmmaker, designer, creator and activist, Jayden is constantl...

/ Soft-spoken and always thoughtful, tech-star Tilek Mamutov recently left Google X to found his own venture, Outtalent ; a career accelerator that helps engineers from emerging markets get jobs at top tech companies abroad.  Tilek grew up in in Bishkek, Kyrgyzstan, studied computer science and has stayed close to home throughout his career journey in more ways than one. In an expansive chat, he s...

/ What is your purpose? Our conversation with Liza kept us up at night with her words "This is actually going deep and asking yourself - what are my preferences? What are the things that drive and motivate me? Where do I find purpose?" playing over in our minds, forcing us to pause if even for a minute, to check in with ourselves.

Divya Thakur has led the creation of a contemporary Indian design identity. Based in Mumbai with a life and home in Colaba which reflect her textured Indian worldview, she is feisty, funny, bold and always thoughtful to speak with. She is a powerhouse of design thinking, product and practice and has had exhibitions and projects spanning the world of contemporary design./ Divya speaks with us about...

Open/Ended is a platform for activist designers and thinkers around the world. Together, we will explore the spaces where creativity, culture and design intersect with technology, science, and engineering; with a lens on positive change. / Melodie Leung is a Senior Associate at Zaha Hadid Architects. Her practice has evolved over the last 15 years in lateral ways - extending into architectural, in...

Open/Ended is a platform for activist designers and thinkers around the world. Together, we will explore the spaces where creativity, culture and design intersect with technology, science, and engineering; with a lens on positive change. / Azu Nwagbogu is a cultural force in Africa, leading for change through experimentation, intellect and intuition. Azu began his career in science, obtaining a Ma...