Fellowship news and events
Summary
Stay in the know with Fellowship: discover the RSA Spark Showcase, learn about a new community leader role for Fellows, mark your calendars as the Princess Royal will attend the Angus Millar Lecture in Scotland, and more.
RSA SPARK
Igniting a new generation of designers
“RSA Spark has changed how I think about design, not just as a way to shape physical spaces, but as a tool to build connections, support communities and create positive change.”
These words come from one of the students who put forward a submission to RSA Spark – an education programme building on 100 years of the Student Design Awards (SDAs). RSA Spark is taking the RSA’s SDAs to new heights, inspiring students aged 18 and above to apply their skills and creativity to real-world briefs for positive impact.
Through the SDAs – and now RSA Spark – the RSA has continually changed perceptions about design. It has created new generations of designers, many of whom have gone on to become leaders in their field and been invited to join the Faculty of Royal Designers for Industry (RDI).
Between April and June this year, RSA Spark attracted a wide range of innovative submissions – 100 in total from 43 universities across the globe. They responded to one of four briefs, each co-developed with an industry partner.
- Where People Meet (Rayne Trust) – 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?
- Creative Communities (Marketing Trust) – how might we make creative education and careers accessible to everyone, everywhere?
- Railway 200 and Beyond (Network Rail) – how might we take inspiration from 200 years of railway success while innovating for an even brighter future?
- Urban Cool (RMIT University and Hammersmith and Fulham Council) – how might we support citizens and organisations to create cooler, greener and fairer cities that bring joy and health to everyone?
Students who submitted the most outstanding ideas will be celebrated in a showcase at RSA House, beginning with a private viewing on 23 September. The showcase – a month-long exhibition – will be open to Fellows and shared online through the RSA’s website and social media.
As The Journal went to press, submissions were still being reviewed (across the four briefs), to award the Anjool Malde Young Innovator Prize and the Chacegrove Family Foundation Entrepreneurs Grants. Look out for details of the showcase participants on the RSA’s website, and come to the House to view their work and support their ideas between 24 September and 23 October 2025.
These students are shaping how we change the world through innovative design – keep your eyes on them, as their work is just beginning.
Joanna Choukeir is the RSA’s Director of Design and Innovation
Visit the RSA Spark Showcase at RSA House (or on the RSA website) between 24 September and 23 October 2025
COMMUNITY LEADERS
Creating connection through local leadership
The RSA has introduced a new community leader role for Fellows, supporting the development of place-based communities. Community leaders work with Fellowship councillors and local engagement managers to organise activity in their area, while championing the RSA’s programmes and interventions.
Alan Milliken, FRSA has recently taken up the role in Glasgow, building on his long-standing commitment to the city’s Fellowship. He hosts the monthly Glasgow Gathering at the historic Glasgow Art Club – a space where Fellows come together to share ideas, collaborate on projects and grow their collective impact.
“The Glasgow Gathering provides Fellows with an opportunity to connect, learn, and contribute. Most of all, we are now looking towards having a wider impact,” Milliken said. “Creating the conditions for Fellows to meet and connect was important to me. Equally important was finding our purpose. People become Fellows to make a difference, to have an impact, and we allowed time for this to grow at its own pace.”
Brainstorming at the gathering led to the idea of the RSA celebrating the 850th anniversary of Glasgow becoming a city. The theme of Glasgow City of Cultures emerged, which energised the group and generated enthusiasm.
As a result of the group’s efforts, there will be a civic reception at Glasgow City Chambers this autumn, hosted by the Lord Provost of Glasgow, exploring the history, diversity and resilience of Glasgow. Other potential events are also being discussed.
“The energy and commitment of Fellows are palpable, and this has led us to map out longer-term plans to explore a range of topical and potentially challenging issues, including dementia. The key to our success has been focusing on creating the right conditions and allowing Fellows to lead,” explained Milliken.
We are looking for Fellows to take on a local lead in all our areas. Fellows interested in becoming a community leader should speak with their local Fellowship engagement manager to find out more (see table on page 49).
Amy McPherson is the RSA’s Fellowship Engagement Manager for Scotland
RSA SCOTLAND
Princess Royal to attend Angus Millar Lecture
Her Royal Highness The Princess Royal will be the guest of honour at the RSA’s annual Angus Millar Lecture on 22 October in Edinburgh.
The Princess Royal, the RSA’s Patron, is scheduled to speak at the lecture and to attend the dinner that follows. She previously attended the RSA Patron’s Lecture at RSA House in London in March.
This will be the 26th annual Angus Millar Lecture, a signature event for the RSA in Scotland. The theme for the lecture will be the Power of Connection.
Tickets are available to book here.
COLLABORATION
Connecting Fellows: Activity hubs and co-working spaces
The opportunity to connect, meet up and collaborate with other Fellows is a key reason many of us join, and stay with the Fellowship. This is often cited as being easy to do if you live or work near RSA House in London, but less so if you live or work elsewhere.
We want to make it easier for all Fellows to have that opportunity, and so the RSA is in the process of rolling out 25 Fellowship activity hubs across the UK and Ireland. Activity hubs are towns and cities that have a high geographical concentration of Fellows or have an established history of running RSA engagement activities.
By making these locations a focal point for Fellowship meetings, events, projects and collaboration, we hope to create a strong local identity, along with a greater sense of local ownership and momentum.
To make it easier for Fellows to achieve this, the RSA is investing in further co-working spaces. These spaces will allow Fellows to meet up together, work together, socialise together, and run their own events and activities together.
Each activity hub will be overseen by a dedicated engagement manager who will work with local Fellows, RSA community leaders and Fellowship councillors to ensure there is an appealing programme of relevant and stimulating activity Fellows can engage with.
A list of the activity hubs can be found in the table below, and our co-working spaces are listed on the RSA’s website.
David Jones is the RSA’s Head of Fellowship Engagement (Areas)
For the latest information on coworking locations, visit Coworking arrangements
FELLOWSHIP COUNCIL
From challenge to change: reflections from the Fellowship Council Chair
As I approach the end of my five-year term on the Fellowship Council – and my final months as Chair – I’ve been reflecting on a period of change, collaboration and challenge.
Since becoming chair in January 2024, my focus has been on enhancing the future role and effectiveness of the council, deepening how we work with Fellows, councillors and RSA staff, and helping the council evolve to meet the moment.
The Fellowship Council is the voice of Fellows within the RSA: a diverse and dedicated group who volunteer their time and insights to support and shape the organisation’s mission. Together, we have worked to ensure that this forum is representative and forward looking.
We have two types of councillor:
- Area councillors are elected by Fellows to represent specific geographic regions. Their core role is to spark and support local activity in partnership with RSA staff.
- Programmatic councillors are appointed volunteers who align with our Design for Life mission. They work across themes and topics to drive deeper engagement with Fellows and staff.
Collectively, councillors contribute to the RSA’s wider governance. Two trustees are drawn from the Fellowship Council, and we act as a vital conduit for Fellow perspectives.
“The Fellowship Council is the voice of Fellows within the RSA”
This has been a defining time for the council. We’ve navigated the lingering effects of the Covid-19 pandemic, while laying foundations for the future. I’m proud of what we’ve achieved, including:
- Proposing key changes to our terms of reference and byelaws, such as extending councillor terms from two to three years and introducing staggered elections for better continuity and knowledge sharing.
- Building stronger partnerships with RSA staff.
- Helping roll out community hubs and leaders in the UK and Ireland, with RSA USA launching new hubs across the US.
Equally encouraging is the nomination of a Fellowship councillor as the next vice-chair of the Trustee Board – a strong signal of the growing impact and recognition of the council.
Elections and interviews are now underway to select 25 new councillors, who will begin in October 2025. I’m excited for what lies ahead and confident the new councillors will continue to strengthen the RSA and its Fellowship community.
Neil Beagrie is Chair of the Fellowship Council
AWARDS
Journal wins seven further awards
The Journal has been successful at two prestigious awards ceremonies, winning six trophies at the Corporate Content Awards (CCA) and one at the Internal Communications and Engagement (ICE) Awards.
At the CCA ceremony in June, The Journal picked up the overall award for best corporate storyteller, Gold for best use of a celebrity/ influencer, best use of content on social media and best use of animation, and Bronze for best use of print and best long-term use of content. At the ICE awards, also in June, it won Bronze for best internal publication (print).
“We are delighted that these awards cover Journal content across print, online and through social media,” said Vicky Kington, RSA Director of Content and Communications. “The Journal has been a successful print publication for more than 200 years and continues to evolve – not least with the recent launch of RSAJournal+.”
In total, The Journal has now won 11 awards at three high-profile ceremonies in 2025.
DIGITAL BADGES
A new standard for skills recognition
When I first encountered digital badges in 2016, their potential to recognise
non-accredited learning was intriguing but largely untested. Almost a decade on, working with the RSA’s Digital Badging Commission – a partnership with Ufi VocTech Trust – it is clear that digital badges are no longer niche.
Yet misconceptions linger. Some remain unsure if badges involve complex technology, while others enthusiastically embrace their simplicity and versatility.
The RSA Badge Standard, co-developed in 2019 with City & Guilds for the Cities of Learning programme, was originally designed to help learners clearly articulate skills gained through experiences beyond formal education. However, the sheer growth and diversity of badges today calls for greater clarity in standards and frameworks that underpin their quality and the trust placed in them.
Our recent update to the RSA Badge Standard aims precisely at this challenge, introducing clear progression levels – Explorer, Practitioner, Collaborator, Innovator and Leader – making it easier for educators, employers and policymakers to recognise competencies ranging from foundational skills to strategic leadership.
Alongside this, we have developed a suite of exemplar badge templates that are free to download, simplifying badge-writing creation across sectors. Demystifying the badge-writing process and encouraging its use will directly benefit anyone seeking trusted skill verification of their employees, students and volunteers.
The RSA has already started putting this new standard into practice, with
326 digital badges issued to RSA Spark students from April to June, to recognise the skills they have gained by participating in the programme.
While researching and convening sector leads, the Digital Badging Commission has seen how badges can unify academic, vocational and non-formal learning pathways, creating genuine connections between learning and work. We will be launching the commission’s final report and recommendations on 13 October – more details to follow soon in RSA channels.
Patrina Law is the RSA’s Lifelong Learning Lead
ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING
AGM date confirmed
The RSA’s Annual General Meeting (AGM) will take place at 6pm on Wednesday 15 October in the Great Room at RSA House. Fellows will also be able to access the AGM online via Zoom.
This will be the RSA’s 271st AGM and will showcase the achievements and impact of RSA Fellows and staff over the past year. It will receive and consider the 2024–25 Impact Report, and Trustees’ Annual Report and Financial Statements, which can be accessed on the RSA’s website.
Access the RSA’s Annual Report and Financial Statements here.
FELLOWSHIP CONNECT
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Tiktok @thersaorg
Fellows’ LinkedIn group
linkedin.com
groups/3391
Email the Fellowship Services
team at fellowship@rsa.org.uk
or call +44 (0)207 451 6939
CIRCLE OF FELLOWSHIP
Join Circle today and get your conversation started:
To activate your Circle account, log in through My RSA via the RSA website.
Your global community awaits
To get started, visit thersa.org/fellowship/community-platform
FREE CO-WORKING SPACES AVAILABLE
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locations available across the
UK where non-London-based
Fellows can work for free – and
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Browse all articles from this issue
Common wealth
Can intergenerational collaboration reshape capitalism for a better future?
Digital inclusion
On how closing the digital divide can boost Britain’s economy and improve lives
Far from home
How do we stop excluding the young and vulnerable from housing systems?
Good council: Ealing’s story
Guerrilla democracy
Transforming art into influence, conversation into consensus, and consensus into change
Minding the gaps
Reflections on missing identities and the artefacts that connect us
Anna Merchuk
On her passions and inspiration to create Ukrainian refugee charity, Nadiya
Healing arts
How creativity can promote neuroplasticity and help overcome isolation through connection
Rising to the challenge
Living university
Can the collective power of universities be channelled into creating a regenerative future
Ban
The progress made in women’s football since the 50-year ban was lifted