Menatalla Kasem

(she/her)

AFHEA

Publication

• Date
• Type

Research

I have always been interested in the relationship between the people and the buildings, and how they interact with them. Listening and engaging with people have always been my favourite part of the research. This led me in my M.Sc. to study the effect of smart buildings on the employees' satisfaction, my thesis titled " Buildings Automation System Impact on Internal Environment: Office Buildings' User Satisfaction as Case Study". Now in my PhD research, I am looking into how public buildings can be more friendly for people with learning disabilities based on their perspective, as the research's main focus is the prioritization of people with learning disabilities in shaping the built environment they use every day.

As the voice of people with a learning disability is vital for my PhD research, a collaboration was made with Cardiff People First, which is a self-advocacy and community advocacy organisation, that is run by and for people with a learning disability in Cardiff. Moreover, a co-researcher Zarah Kaleem was recruited to support the research accessibility and facilitate communication.

Teaching

Biography

Menatalla Kasem, AFHEA, is a researcher and educator in the field of architecture, with a commitment to inclusive design. Currently a Research Student and Graduate Tutor at the Welsh School of Architecture, Cardiff University, UK. Mena's academic journey encompasses a diverse range of qualifications and experiences. She is currently pursuing a Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) at Cardiff University, exploring the intersection of inclusive design, disability, and participatory research.

Prior to her doctoral studies, Menatalla completed a Master of Science (MSc) in Architectural Engineering at Zagazig University, Egypt, where her thesis focused on the impact of building automation systems on office buildings' internal environments. She also holds a Bachelor of Science (BSc) in Architectural Engineering from the same institution. Mena has publications in different journals and presentations at international conferences and symposiums. Her research focuses on designing for non-normative bodies, co-designing with people with learning disabilities, and promoting inclusive practices in architectural spaces.

Mena's acadmic journey encompasses both academic and practical experiences. She has served as an Associate Lecturer at Buckinghamshire New University and Zagazig University, where she designed modules, lectured, and assessed research dissertations. Her expertise extends to studio tutoring and teaching various courses including architectural design, architecture technology, and urban design. As a Freelance Architect, Mena has contributed to numerous projects encompassing interior design, architectural design, and urban design.

Honours and awards

The Welsh School of Architecture Exhibition Post-Graduate Research prize 2023.

Professional memberships

Student member at the University and College Union.

Member of the Egyptian Engineering Syndicate.

Academic positions

Speaking engagements

• Speaker at the Research with People with Learning Disability Workshop, Dec 2023. Presentation titled: Enabling Architectural Research: co-designing with people with learning disability.
• Presenting at the Architectures of Alterity; Body / Media / Space Symposium, Sep 2023. Presentation titled: Designing for Non-Normative Bodies: people with learning disability.
• Presented at “New York - Livable Cities” conference, June 2023. Paper titled: Towards More Inclusive Shopping Centres: participatory architecture research engaging people with learning disability.
• Presented at the 16th research conference of the Nordic Network on Disability Research, May 2023. Presentation titled: Co-Designing with People with Learning Disabilities: an architectural perspective.
• Moderated a round table titled: Disability Research: a multi-disciplinary perspective at the Architectural Humanities Research Association Research Student Symposium (AHRA) student symposium, April 2023.

Committees and reviewing

• A committee member in the Welsh School of Arcchitecture Ethical Committee.
• Part of the organizing committe of the Architectural Humanities Research Association Research Student Symposium (AHRA) 2023, social events lead.