There have been award wins and interesting projects galore this month in the faculty of Arts, Design and Media - see what our wonderfully creative students have been up to. 1. Photography student selected for the 2023 RBSA Photography prize Caitlin Ryan, a BA (Hons) Photography student, has been selected for the 2023 RBSA Photography Prize. Caitlin’s photograph for freedom of speech uses research from Doretha Lange portraits in the American great depression for the FSA, Duane Michaels Surrealistic approach, and use of time-based techniques in his work and lastly Jim Goldbergs use of text and image within his work. Taking inspirational on how all these photographers use different approaches to prompt and push context. Photography lecturer, Nicholas Priest, said: “I, Jaskirt and Jocelyn are over the moon for Caitlin to be one of the selected photographers for the RSBA 2023 prize. The RBSA first launched in 2015, and the RBSA Photography Prize exhibition celebrates photographic artwork by emerging and established photographers. There will be an awards evening on the 2nd of March and we wish Cailtin the best of luck from all the selected photographers.” 2. MA Design Management students worked with Birmingham City Council’s IT & Digital team on a live project brief. As part of the module Design Strategy and Innovation, MA Design Management students have worked with Birmingham City Council’s IT & Digital team on a live project brief. The cohort of 14 strong and enthusiastic students presented how Birmingham City Council could enhance staff engagement in a hybrid working environment, producing some great ideas and accomplished presentations.Ideas ranged from the use of emerging tech, gamification, OKRs (Objectives and Key Results) to creating sustainable working experiences. The underpinning of research and data in all the presentations was incredible. Each team articulated value propositions at multiple levels. Special consideration was taken towards co-creating the solutions with Birmingham City Council employee. 3. Andy Street Visits Parkside to attend architecture bootcamp A new Skills Bootcamp designed to help employees in the West Midlands incorporate climate literacy practices into their everyday working lives has been launched. The Climate Literacy for Sustainable Futures Skills Bootcamp, backed by the West Midlands Combined Authority (WMCA) and delivered by Birmingham School of Architecture and Design (BSoAD) at Birmingham City University (BCU) aims to assist learners in developing a full understanding of sustainable strategies, together with sought-after, sector-specific skills and their application in a real work context. The free Skills Bootcamp has so far been attended by industry specialists from a wide range of disciplines including architects, town planners, designers and creatives, who all wish to introduce pioneering environmental and sustainable methodology into their existing skillsets. Andy Street, Mayor of the West Midlands and WMCA chair, recently took the opportunity to visit BCU to speak to students and staff associated with the course. Read the full write-up here