Kelly_IWD2024, Photo: Aisha Seriki
Our technicians have been described by our students as the ‘local heroes’ that make their RCA experience possible. Everyday they work to ensure students have the skills and knowledge to realise their art and design visions.Although women in technical services have historically been underrepresented across the sector, things are improving. Since 2012, the number of female technicians at the RCA has increased by nearly 20%, to 44% in 2024.This International Women’s Day, we’re celebrating the RCA technicians who are part of that change.
Maria Li (Technical Instructor, Biomaterials)
‘My days are spent keeping the Natural Matters Biolab running smoothly and helping students with anything from biofabrication to biological and biodesign experiments’ Maria Li told us.
Maria joined the RCA last year with an academic background in biology. After graduating from university, she set up a DIYBio group to democratise biology, making it accessible to all, and worked as an instructor in citizen science.
In our Biomaterials Lab, Maria supports students with new innovations across the spectrum of art and design. For example, she recently taught an MA Architecture student how to grow mycelium tiles.
“At the RCA, I'm primed to foster innovation and support budding creatives in unleashing biomaterial wonders.”Maria Li
As a ‘science enthusiast with a flair for creativity’ Maria is very much at home at the college where she is constantly inspired by students and tutors aligning creativity with practical innovation to solve real world problems. ‘At the RCA, I'm primed to foster innovation and support budding creatives in unleashing biomaterial wonders.’
And Maria explains that these innovative collaborations are best forged in an equal workplace. ‘It's vital to ensure equal opportunities’ Maria told us. For her an equal workplace creates a safe place for dialogue and addresses biases through training. ‘Leading by example can foster a culture of inclusion and diversity within the industry.’