Vasilena Vassilev appointed as Head of Design and Communication Studies at Northeastern University London

Vasilena Vassilev Appointed Head of Design and Communication Studies at Northeastern University London. She brings a rich background in architecture and urban systems, with experience that spans research, design practice, and collaborative projects across academic and industry settings. Her appointment highlights Northeastern’s ongoing commitment to experiential education—an approach that blends academic excellence with hands‑on learning and real‑world impact.

In her new role, Vassilev will connect with CAMD Boston and lead initiatives in London that weave practice-based learning, industry partnerships, and community engagement directly into the design curriculum. She is passionate about preparing students to think critically and creatively while applying their knowledge in tangible contexts.

Michael Pelken Re-Appointed to UCL's CNIE Industry Advisory Board

Michael Pelken was recently re-appointed to UCL’s Centre for Nature Inspired Engineering’s Advisory Board.

From the CNIE:

The Centre for Nature Inspired Engineering draws lessons from nature to engineer innovative solutions to our grand challenges in energy, water, materials, health and living space.

Using theory and simulation-assisted rational design, complemented by experiments, synthesis and testing, the Centre unites a highly interdisciplinary team of researchers, from the physical sciences to chemical and materials engineering, computer science, architecture, and medicine. Collaborations with a wide range of industrial partners allow us to accelerate the translation of research findings into practice.

P+ Secures Seed Funding from the Royal Academy of Engineering Frontiers of Engineering for Development Programme

As co-PI P+ secured seed funding research on the following projects:

“Interplay Between Design, Density, and Wellbeing” with Cardiff University (PI); Loughborough University; University of Amman, Jordan; University of Cape Town, South Africa; and industry partner Utopia, Kathmandu. Areas of focus: Kathmandu, Nepal, Amman, Jordan, Cape Town, South Arica.

 “Strategic Planning of Urban Water Reuse Interventions for Community Resilience” with University of West London (PI), University of Cape Town, South Africa; Cardiff University; Loughborough University; Covenant University; Nigeria; Monash University, Malaysia; and industry partner Tekmann S.A. in Mexico. Areas of focus: Nigeria, South Africa, Mexico, Malaysia

We are excited to work with our partners as we embark on this meaningful and vital research to achieve sustainable urban development.

Vasilena Vassilev at ROYAL ACADEMY OF ENGINEERING

Vasilena Vassilev at the Frontiers of Development Symposium hosted by the Royal Academy of Engineering.

From the event:

“Frontiers of Development will host a series of symposia bringing together the best early- to mid-career researchers and practitioners (5-20 years post-doc or industry equivalent) from industry, academia, government and NGOs in multidisciplinary workshops to address fundamental development challenges, each of them involving 60 attendees (approximately half from the UK, half from the Global South).

Events will usually be held in developing countries with a view to involving local governments and NGOs where possible to ensure a regional impact by grounding the symposium in the local, whilst maintaining a profoundly global essence by inviting a diverse range of participants from the developed and developing world.

The symposia will be formulated around a selection of broad topics grounded in development challenges, and structured to facilitate the building of networks across broad multi-disciplinary communities. Though the programme is run by the Royal Academy of Engineering, all four of the UK's national academies (The Royal Academy of Engineering, The Academy of Medical Sciences, The British Academy and The Royal Society) will contribute their expertise to devise themes for the events collaboratively.”

Michael Pelken Appointed Visiting Professor

Michael Pelken was recently awarded Honorary Visiting Professor at City, University of London at the School of Mathematics, Computer Science and Engineering.