RSA Spark Review panels

The RSA Spark team of reviewers has been curated to include an impressive range of expertise across and beyond RSA Fellowship.

Our reviewers range from brief partners, enterprise founders, people with valuable lived experience, subject matter experts, and research and design practitioners. 

For each brief, the reviewers will create a longlist of up to 20 of the most exciting ideas against the RSA Spark submission criteria. They will also nominate entries for the RSA Spark Entrepreneurs Awards and the Anjool Malde Young Innovator Prize. Then it is over to our amazing brief partners and RSA Spark Entrepreneur Guides to finalise the shortlist of up to 10 ideas per brief to go through to the RSA Spark Showcase.

Thank you to all our reviewers for the time and expertise they are dedicating to RSA Spark students.

Brief one: Urban Cool

How might we support citizens and organisations to create cooler, greener and fairer cities that bring joy and health to everyone?

Meet the Urban Cool reviewers

Meet the Urban Cool partner panel

Urban Cool was created in partnership with RMIT University and Hammersmith & Fulham Council.

RMIT has a global presence in Australia, Europe and Vietnam, and is known for its strong connections with cities and industries. At its innovation hub in Barcelona, RMIT researchers, in collaboration with governments, industries, and communities, develop solutions that improve urban resilience and address urban climate challenges.

In 2019, Hammersmith & Fulham Council declared a climate and ecological emergency. They set an ambitious target to reach net-zero carbon emissions by 2030 for their borough in London.

Their panel will include:

• Laurene Vaughan – Professor of Design, RMIT, Australia
• Wendy Steele – Professor in Sustainability and Critical Urban Governance, RMIT, Australia

Brief two: Railway 200 & Beyond

How might we take inspiration from 200 years of railway success while innovating for an even brighter future?

Meet the Railway 200 & Beyond reviewers

Meet the Railway 200 & Beyond partner panel

Railway 200 & Beyond was created in partnership with Network Rail. Network Rail is responsible for managing and maintaining Britain’s railway infrastructure. Their role encompasses over 20,000 miles of track plus 30,000 bridges, tunnels, stations, and signalling systems. Network Rail plays a crucial part in driving economic growth, supporting communities, and shaping the future of transportation in the United Kingdom.

Their panel will include:

• Anthony Dewar –  Professional Head of Buildings and Architecture, Network Rail
• Frank Anatole – Principal Architect, Network Rail

Brief three: Where People Meet

How might we reimagine and create community spaces of the future where people are connected, places are healthy, and everyone is leading a good life?

Meet the Where People Meet reviewers

Meet the Where People Meet partner panel

Where People Meet was created in partnership with the Rayne Trust. The Rayne Trust prioritises activities that promote positive social change, understanding and integration in the UK and abroad. Their wider Where People Meet programme is guided by the belief that people, wherever they are born or live, have the right to a good life. This is a long-term approach based on collective investment of resources to improve the prospects of communities, particularly those facing the most severe challenges. 

Their panel will include:

• Crispin Truman – Director, Rayne Trust
• Hon. Robert Rayne – Chair, Rayne Trust
• Wendy Hart – Co-Founder and Co-Director, Nudge Community Builders
• Summer Simpson – Research and Engagement Manager, New Local and Co-Author of the ‘Where People Meet’ report

Brief four: Creative Communities

How might we make creative education and careers accessible to everyone, everywhere?

Meet the Creative Communities reviewers

Meet the Creative Communities partner panel

Creative Communities was created in partnership with the Marketing Trust. The Trust promotes education, training and research into the art and science of marketing and provides grants to individuals and organisations for projects that advance those skills.

Their panel will include:

• Nigel Coates – Associate Professor and Director of the Business Clinic, Northumbria University and Chair of Trustees, Marketing Trust
• Tom Mason – Senior Partner, Corporate and Marketing Advisors, Beele Partnership and Trustee at Marketing Trust
• Amy Smith – Global Director of Recruitment and Outreach, British visual effects and computer animation studio, Framestore

More information about RSA Spark

RSA Spark

RSA Spark inspires real-world experiences for learners and entrepreneurs to create, connect, grow and make a difference.

RSA Spark Strategic partnerships

You and your organisation could partner with RSA Spark to develop a range of innovative action and research briefs. Curated by our team, social entrepreneurs participate in pioneering solutions that deliver lasting change.