RIAS CPD
Inclusive Design Seminar: Design with People in Mind
Tuesday 25th Aug 2026, 10.00-15.30pm
Campus Central, Airthrey Road, Stirling FK9 4LA
Part of our Practice Essentials Series for 2026 [2/5], the purpose of this CPD is to increase knowledge of current best practice research and design in the field of Inclusive Design within the built environment. The agenda for the day will comprise of an early afternoon scene-setting session of research and policy updates, followed by an afternoon opportunities session of current and future practice-based projects.
Presenters include:
Annie Pollock, Inclusive Design Consultant
Dr Martin Quirke, University of Stirling
Richard Dougherty, Gallaudet University
Sarah Jane Storrie, SJM Architects
Graham Shaw, Adnitt Acoustics
Alison Benzimra, United St Saviour's Charity
Prof. Lesley Palmer, University of Stirling
Chair: Lesley Palmer
Image: Page/Park North Gate, Jim Stephenson
Access multi-person booking discounts here: https://media.rias.org.uk/files/2024/03/22/A00B9814-C2E6-23E5-821F-3A6A7DE2AB6E.pdf. Terms and conditions apply.
Speaker biographies to be added shortly… This event is kindly supported by Adnitt Acoustics.
Lunch included in ticket price.
Annie Pollock - Inclusive Design Consultant
Biography to be added shortly…
Dr Martin Quirke - Lecturer in Ageing and Dementia Design, University of Stirling
Biography to be added shortly…
Richard Dougherty, Executive Director of Architecture and Facilities, Gallaudet University
Biography to be added shortly…
Sarah Jane Storrie – Architect, Studio SJM
Biography to be added shortly…
Graham Shaw – Director, Adnitt Acoustics
Biography to be added shortly…
Alison Benzimra – Architect, Head of Research and Influence, United St Saviour’s Charity
Biography to be added shortly…
Lesley Palmer - Professor of Ageing and Dementia Design, University of Stirling/ Director, INCH Architecture
Lesley Palmer is an experienced UK based architect, member of the Royal Incorporation of Architects Scotland, Royal Institute of British Architects, Fellow of the Academy of Social Sciences, and Fellow of the Winston Churchill Memorial Trust. She has a Master of Science for Urban Design and a Batchelor of Science with Honours in Architectural Studies. Her career to date includes architectural practice, academic teaching, knowledge exchange and research.
Lesley’s substantive post is as Professor of Ageing and Dementia Design within the Centre for Environments, Dementia and Ageing Research group at the University of Stirling, Scotland. She works globally Teaching, researching and supporting commercial clients in Japan, India, Australia, America, and Europe, advising on the adoption of evidence-based design principles of ageing and dementia-friendly design into capital development projects.
Lesley is the also the co-founder and Director of INCH Architecture & Design Ltd, an award winning social-enterprise architecture practice based in Glasgow. Additionally, Lesley is a co-founder and shareholder in Iridis Digital Ltd, a joint venture with the University of Stirling and Space Group (Europe) Ltd. The objective of the company is to develop novel products within the ageing sector.
Lesley’s field of research and expertise is in the design of the built environment for ageing and dementia. This is a niche area of environmental design which includes research into building performance, sensing technologies, virtual and augmented reality, dementia design of products, architecture, and urban design. Her interests also extend to housing policy and investigating future models of sustainable housing design, procurement, and construction with an intergenerational focus.