Sophie Kirkpatrick is an experienced biotechnologist, passionate about interdisciplinary collaboration and circular process design. She holds an MSc in Natural Sciences from the University of Leeds and an MSc in Bio-Integrated Design from UCL. Currently, Sophie is a Researcher at The Lifefabs Institute exploring community-led science and biodesign through fermentation.

Ioana Man is a designer and researcher in biodesign and bioeconomy value chains. She was design lead at Faber Futures, working across design and biotechnology R&D to bridge the gap between scientific advancements and real-world applications, developing microbial protocols, consumer products and lab infrastructure. She is Unit Tutor of Intermediate 6 at the AA and specialisation supervisor for Bio-Integrated Design, UCL.

Rosa Whiteley is an artist, designer and researcher whose practice explores the intersection of architecture, food systems, critical ecology and atmospheric politics. She is currently a Design Researcher in Residence at the Design Museum. Since 2021, she has served as Director of Material Research at CLIMAVORE. From 2020–25, she worked as a lead researcher and project manager within Cooking Sections. Rosa is an Associate Lecturer at Central Saint Martins and the Royal College of Art (RCA) School of Architecture.

• Critical understanding of biotechnological concepts and tools, material commoning, bioregional strategies and non-extractive business models
• BSL-1 laboratory skills: contamination mitigation, operating submerged and liquid state fermentation systems
• Learning principles and recipes for safely fermenting food, drinks and materials
• Designing experiments and gathering data
• Developing a set of replicable lab protocols presented as a large-scale visual installation
• Working with a biomaterial to design and make a tool, object or architectural element to support a communal meal
• Hosting a meal to present the outcomes of the visiting school to the wider school community and invited guests

£800 – Full Fee

Lab equipment, reagents, organisms and other materials will be provided. Students need to bring their own laptops. Fees do not include flights and accommodation.