Research Associates RCA

InnovationRCA's Research Associates programme is dedicated to bringing new RCA graduates and business organisations together to work on collaborative projects in the area of commercial innovation in response to technological change.

Based in the College’s internationally renowned Helen Hamlyn Centre for Design, the aim of this applied research programme is to help companies build new knowledge about consumers and markets and the design options to reach them.

A structured R&D activity in three distinct phases - Explore, Define, Deliver - investigates the opportunities for innovative new products and services that are commercially viable and socially useful.

Background

Since it started in 1999, Research Associates RCA has built an impressive track record of partnership with industry, working with nearly 100 companies worldwide.

Open to RCA graduates

Research Associates are employed by the RCA and have access to the RCA's unrivalled creative and technical resources.

Research Associate posts are open to any new or recent graduate of the RCA who want to develop their Masters project in a 'live' context or develop skills in practice-based research with industry.

Graduates should contact Rama Gheerawo, Deputy Director, Helen Hamlyn Centre for Design.

Open for business

Research Associates are jointly funded by external industry partners, who set briefs and participate in projects, and by the RCA.

Industry partners can support projects and shape outcomes without having to employ or accommodate a designer.

Each project runs in the first instance for one year - from October to September.

Industry Research partners - your questions answered (on Helen Hamlyn Centre web site).

Project focus

InnovationRCA is focused on initiating and supervising Research Associate projects that explore the impact of new technologies and materials on people.