We heard from Maayan Matz Ashkenazi, anthropologist, designer and urbanist, and the way in which she's applied socio-spatial approaches to a range of architectural and strategic design projects.

For those of you who missed her talk, check out the recording here.

Maayan uses her training in medical anthropology to bring the socio-spatial together with anthropology. She explores the relations we have with our own bodies, the relationships we have with others, and the ephemeral, shared imagination through which we are cultural beings. She talks about care, and the act of relating. Finally, she examines the quality of being that affords change in terms of 'relation-centred' design, and interrogates what can actually be affected in the spatial realm.

Having established the role of anthropologist urban designer at one of the UK’s foremost studios, Maayan now consults as an independent advisor and is engaged in academic research into urbanisation and health. She has been involved with a number of high-profile projects in central London, developing interdisciplinary strategies to promote vibrancy, wellbeing and socio-economic sustainability.