This event will bring together an audience of academics, students and policy makers to discuss the work of the V&A Research Institute and how design influences practice-based research.It will also allow guests to take part in a ‘making’ activity to highlight the value of practical design skills.

Established in 2016, the V&A Research Institute (VARI) is a five-year programme of projects and partnerships supported by the Andrew W. Mellon Foundation. It takes the V&A's pioneering research culture into a new phase that allows the Museum to experiment with new ways of studying, displaying and accessibly storing its collections. VARI will give better access to the V&A's objects and join its experts with academic scholars, practicing designers and makers and members of the general public.

The panel discussion will be hosted by Barry Sheerman MP, Member for Huddersfield and Co-Chair of the APDIG.

The panel will include:

• Tristram Hunt: Director, V&A 
• Dr Marta Ajmar: Deputy Director, VARI
• Rebecca Goozee: Educational Resident, VARI
• Helen Charman: Director of Learning and National Programmes, V&A
• Mark Miodownik: Director, Institute of Making

In addition, students from The Bridge Academy, Hackney, will showcase how new design teaching is transforming their attitudes to wider learning.

Refreshments will be served.

The panel discussion will be followed by an evening drinks reception at the V&A, hosted by Tristram Hunt in the Gilbert Bayes Sculpture Gallery, overlooking the newly restored Cast Courts. The reception will take place between 6pm and 9pm. 

Please RSVP here.