We’re delighted to announce that Magid Magid will be a judge for our V&A Innovate National Schools Challenge 2021 – 22.
Magid Magid is a Somali-British race and climate justice activist, organiser, and author who came to the UK as a refugee aged five. He is Founder and Director of Union of Justice.
He was a member of the European Parliament representing Yorkshire and the Humber, Mayor of Sheffield, and was also an elected councillor representing his community. He also sits on the Board of Trustees for the think tank ‘Friends of Europe’ and is co-chair of refugee charity ‘City of Sanctuary Sheffield’.
Magid was also named one of TIME’s 100 rising stars for shaping the future of the world.
We spoke to Magid about being on the panel and why design is important to him:
What are you most looking forward to as a V&A Innovate judge, and why?
I’m super excited to not only see all the amazing designs but to also support the students in bringing their ideas to life. Reason being is, I believe when you give young people the skills, tools and opportunity to create – amazing things happen.
What do this year’s themes of Renew, Connect and Move mean to you?
This year’s themes scream hope to me. They are everything that we need to tackle the urgent questions of our time.
Why is design important to you?
Design is very personal and it’s in our everyday lives. Someone designed everything around us, some good and some awful. Design changes opinions, affects how we feel and fundamentally it can change the world for the better.
What invention / innovation could you not live without?
My current favourite invention that I can’t live without is the wireless headphones as I’m always listening to music.
Can you share any top tips for students taking part in V&A Innovate this year?
Nothing you see in the system you were born into and are growing up in is natural. Someone designed and decided things should be that way – never forget this. You are great enough to bring about the change you think is necessary – no matter how big – to make the world a better place. So think big!
Could your students think big and share their ideas with Magid? Register to take part here and enter your students’ ideas by 7 January 2022.
V&A Innovate is our annual National Schools Challenge offering students in years 7, 8 and 9 the opportunity to design a solution to a real-world problem, inspired by the V&A’s collections.
