Nidhi Chaudhary, Director of Education in STEaPP (Science, Technology, Engineering and Public Policy) and Founder of the Co-Design Lab, talks about improving student support, creating a fairer framework for AI, and why Salvador Dalí tops her dream dinner guest list.
What is your role and what does it involve?
I’m the Director of Education in the Department of Science, Technology, Engineering, and Public Policy (STEaPP) in the Faculty of Engineering Sciences, and I’m also the Founder of the Co-Design Lab at STEaPP, UCL.
The Lab focuses on three main aims: bringing together transdisciplinary expertise from across UCL to help solve real-life problems; engaging diverse voices and knowledge from communities and local organisations to shape policy impact; and creating a virtuous loop between research and education to prepare students for a changing world.
How long have you been at UCL and what was your previous role
I’ve been at UCL part-time since 2014 and I have been full-time at STEaPP since 2023. Back when I was doing part-time teaching in the Department of Political Science, I was also doing a lot of consulting for local and national government on innovation and tech policy. I’ve been very fortunate to work with high-tech startups on their business and commercialisation strategy. I’ve also had exposure to working with local and national governments and NGOs in India on public sector reforms, as well as urban development. All this experience of working in different parts of the policy process is something I draw on in my current roles.
What working achievement or initiative are you most proud of?
Within my own department, I have been very hands-on and involved in setting up new student support processes and assessment strategy in the last year to improve student experience. I am happy to see that students are actually seeing the difference.
Something else I’m really proud of is the development of the Co-Design Lab. It all started with discussions as part of STEaPP’s new BSc Programme, Science and Engineering for Social Change. I was trying to set up a real-life project for my students with a local borough and I realised that there was a gap. To set up the lab, I started working with colleagues across different faculties (Arts and Humanities, SHS, Brain Sciences) whom I was fortunate to meet as part of India Summer School (2024). And all these colleagues were so insightful on where the Co-Design Lab should sit and how we could frame it. The last nine months have been a rewarding experience as we have interesting projects using co-design based creative practices with four different boroughs across London funded through Grand Challenges, Arts Council England and AHRC.
Tell us about a project you are working on now, which is top of your to-do list.
Two spring to mind. One is working with Newham Council, local businesses and community organisations to develop a future vision for where the Council should move towards in the next ten years using codesign processes. So far we have already had two co-design workshops where we’ve been able to identify key themes and develop a vision statement for the council. In the next 10 days or so, I’ll be hosting a hackathon where we will build actionable projects as a community for Newham to work towards for the next year.
A separate project by AHRC looks at how to build accountability and transparency in how Generative AI models use creative work. We are currently working with artists and collectives, but also with Gen AI startups and other stakeholders like Arts Council England and the Digital Catapult to build a fairer framework using codesign methodology.
What is your favourite album, film and novel?
I grew up in India, so I listen to a lot of Hindi classical, Bollywood, as well as Sufi songs, but I also listen to a lot of rock, pop, and folk music. So essentially, an odd medley of songs rather than complete albums. But I would say Pink Floyd’s The Wall has brilliant memories for me from my time at university.
One of the films which I like is. It’s a Hindi movie, which questions the religious superstitions and myths that we have in India. It’s a satire and is very, very funny.
Orbital by Samantha Harvey is a beautiful novel which is an ode to Mother Earth. I’ve recently gone back to reading it again. It’s a good sign when you go to revisit it, you know.
What is your favourite joke?
Getting mythology wrong is my Hercules’ ankle.
Who would be your dream dinner guests?
Salvador Dalí for the way he artistically expresses the subconsciousness. Artemisia Gentileschi for her strong depiction of female form in the 17th century. And I would invite Mirza Ghalib for his beautiful and philosophical prose. Along with that, I would invite two of my closest friends who have been with me for the last 30 years.
What advice would you give your younger self?
Don’t be afraid to take risks and trust your gut instincts.
What would it surprise people to know about you?
I was very ambidextrous for a long time (sadly have lost touch now!). I could play badminton and volleyball very well with both hands for my university team, which came in handy!
What is your favourite place
My favourite place would be on the beach in Crete with my family.
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