Menatalla Kasem

(she/her)

AFHEA BSc, MSc

Publication

• Date
• Type

Research

Research Overview

My research explores inclusive design, spatial justice, and the role of co-production in architectural processes. I am particularly interested in how people with a learning disability engage with and reshape the built environment through collaborative, creative practices.

PhD Research: Co-Designing with People with a Learning Disability

My doctoral project at Cardiff University investigates how co-design methods can empower people with a learning disability to influence architectural decisions. The research challenges conventional design hierarchies and contributes to debates on inclusive design, ableism in architecture, and participatory methodologies. The project is grounded in long-term collaboration with a self-advocacy organisation.

Research Interests

• Inclusive and accessible design
• Co-design and participatory methodologies
• Architectural pedagogy
• Design justice and user-centred design
• Socially engaged design practices

Current Collaborations

• Cardiff People First (SPARK, Cardiff University): Research fellowship through Third Sector Research Partnership – Pro Bono Research Support Scheme (Round 2). Aims to produce research questions with people with a learning disability on self-advocacy.

Funding

• My PhD is fully funded by the Egyptian Ministry of Higher Education and Scientific Research, represented by the Egyptian Bureau for Cultural & Educational Affairs in London.
• Co-awarded funding from the Cardiff University Research Culture Fund 2024 and 2025 to organise the interdisciplinary event "Experiences of Disability: Interdisciplinary Insights".
• FOR Cardiff City Ambition Fund: Main author of the Learning Disability Guide for Businesses in Cardiff.

Teaching

Teaching Overview

I am an architectural educator with experience teaching across various programmes in both UK and Egyptian institutions. My teaching practice is grounded in inclusive design, co-production, and critical pedagogy, with a strong emphasis on accessibility, user-centred design, and student empowerment.

Cardiff University – Welsh School of Architecture

Since 2022, I have served as a Graduate Tutor, contributing to:

• First-year architectural design studio teaching, supporting students in concept development, iterative design, and presentation skills.
• Architectural technology assessment, participating in marking and feedback processes.
• Software skills support for first-year students, delivering tutorials in Adobe InDesign, Photoshop, and AutoCAD.
• Inclusive design consultation, acting as a design reviewer and advising on integrating accessibility principles into studio-based teaching.

I also contribute to WSA’s broader inclusive design agenda through extracurricular initiatives and the development of inclusive pedagogy.

Cardiff Metropolitan University – Cardiff School of Art and Design

I currently teach undergraduate architecture students through:

• Undergraduate research supervision

Previous Teaching Roles

• Associate Lecturer, Buckinghamshire New University – supporting undergraduate architectural education through studio tutorials and design reviews.
• Assistant Lecturer, Zagazig University (Egypt) – teaching architectural design and supporting curriculum development at the undergraduate level.

Teaching Qualifications and Affiliations

• Associate Fellow of the Higher Education Academy (AFHEA)
• Currently pursuing Fellow of the Higher Education Academy (FHEA).

Biography

I am currently a Graduate Tutor and PhD Candidate at the Welsh School of Architecture, Cardiff University. My doctoral research explores inclusive design through co-design with people with a learning disability, examining how collaborative design can challenge ableist norms in architectural practice and pedagogy. At WSA, I contribute to undergraduate teaching in design studio and technology modules, support software instruction, and act as an inclusive design consultant across studio teaching.
In addition to this, I currently teach at Cardiff Metropolitan University's (Cardiff School of Art and Design) undergraduate level, contributing to tutorials, research supervision, and student support within the fields of architecture and interdisciplinary design education.
Previously, I held an associate lecturer role at Buckinghamshire New University and worked as a freelance architect with a portfolio spanning residential, cultural, and educational projects in both the UK and Egypt. I began my teaching career at Zagazig University in Egypt as an Assistant Lecturer in Architecture.
My academic and professional path is rooted in inclusive, participatory, and socially engaged design practice.

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.