INCLUDE London 2026

2026 sees the 40th anniversary of the original New Design for Old exhibition, which Lady Helen Hamlyn curated in the Boiler House at the V&A in 1986.

To mark this momentous moment in time, INCLUDE 2026 takes place in September at the Royal College of Art in Battersea, London.

INCLUDE 2026 will offer a space to pause, reflect and critically examine the ongoing evolution of inclusive design.

We will explore how design research and practice considers ageing, gender, diverse abilities, neurodiversity, economic status, culture and social identity.

We are pleased to announce some of our keynote speakers at the INCLUDE 2026 conference. The talks will contribute to the broader discourse of the conference that will reflect on the historical evolution of Inclusive design, its role in the world today and the future.

• Roger Coleman - Professor Emeritus, Royal College of Art
• Lise Autogena - Professor of Cross Disciplinary Art, Sheffield Hallam University
• Graham Pullin - Professor of Design and Disability at DJCAD, University of Dundee
• Savania China - Independent Inclusion Advisor and Author

The INCLUDE exhibition is an integral part of the conference and will provide an informative and provocative platform to facilitate discussion on the future of inclusive design. The exhibition will reflect on 35 years of groundbreaking work of the HHCD and encourage creative thought in how design, set against current contexts, might be best utilised to address future global challenges.

The Exhibition will run from 9–30 September 2026 and is co-curated by Professor Paul Chamberlain and Professor Claire Craig (Co-chairs HHCD).

We are also delighted to welcome playwright Brian Daniels and confirm that part of the programme will include a read through of Brian's play 100-NOT OUT.

100-NOT OUT tells the story of the blossoming of an unlikely friendship between Design student, Danni and Elsie, a centenarian with a colourful past. They meet whilst Danni is researching the topic of inclusive design for their undergraduate dissertation and in spite of the age difference they discover they have more in common than first meets the eye....

This poignant, insightful play explores themes of ageing, identity, transition, reciprocity and friendship across generations. It is based on the findings of over 100 interviews with older people, sensitively translated into a 4 person-play by Brian Daniels.

Brian Daniels, is an award-winning playwright who creates thought provoking performances based on health, social care and societal issues. Original plays written by Brian are inspired by true stories, engaging audiences world-wide and sparking vital after performance discussions that promote real-world change and reflection. 

Conference tickets are now available at £500 for the whole conference (9–11 September 2026), alongside day tickets for full days at £200.

If you have any queries please email Include26@rca.ac.uk

• Professor Paul Chamberlain, Professor of Design and Co-chair, Helen Hamlyn Centre for Design
• Dr Chris McGinley, Senior Research Fellow
• Dr Katie Gaudion, Senior Research Associate
• Anthony Shepherd, Research Centres Manager
• Michaela Cullen, Research Centres Administrator