Farhat Ara

Keywords: Design Education, Design Thinking, Gender, STEM Education

Bio: Farhat Ara is a science educator, researcher and a Faculty at Srishti Manipal Institute of Art, Design and Technology, a constituent of Manipal Academy of Higher Education, Bangalore. She is also the Head of Studies for the Creative Education course at Srishti. A PhD in Design and Technology Education with her practice rooted strongly in the constructivist philosophy, she works at the exciting intersection of Education, Biology, Technology, Design, Literature, and Art. By creating interesting synergies among different disciplines and areas of studies, her courses tap into diverse interests of students and allows for multiple forms of expressions. She has also developed teaching resource materials for teachers and has published numerous articles on education and pedagogy in peer-reviewed international journals, book, and conference proceedings.

Website

How do I really help them to grasp things that I’m fascinated with and also that fascinates them, right?

In this interview, Farhat discusses:

  • Laypersons’ (gendered) views of design
  • Her experience as a teacher of design, particularly in settings that bring together science and design 
  • The problems and potential of design education for challenging the status quo, including her pedagogical work in frugal design and constructivism. 
  • Current work in design education that inspires her

Further Reading:

  • Khunyakari, R., Padalkar, S., Ara, F., Singh, G. (Forthcoming) Strengthening learning through visuospatial experiences: Initiatives from the Indian context in Learning without Burden’, Publisher: Routledge India, Taylor and Francis Group