Biodesign Teaching

At Biodesign Academy, we believe that empowering students with skills in resilience, ethical insight, and industry connection prepares them for the fast-evolving field of biodesign.

Our teaching methodology, crafted through 15 years of experience in design education, emphasizes hands-on experimentation, critical inquiry, and building networks that bridge academia with real-world impact.

Ready to Learn More?

Whether you're a student, educator, or organization, to explore our courses or discuss a custom teaching proposal, reach out by emailing [email protected].

You can also subscribe to our newsletter to stay updated on new offerings such as upcoming webinars, courses, workshops, and book launches.

Resilience and Adaptability in Emerging Fields

As fields like biotechnology and biodesign rapidly evolve, students need foundational skills plus adaptability and resilience. Our teaching approach fosters these qualities, encouraging students to embrace experimentation and learn from failure, equipping them to handle complex, dynamic challenges.

Through hands-on learning and iterative design projects, students work physically and directly with bio-based materials, tackling challenges that mimic real-world industry shifts. They might adapt designs to hypothetical regulatory or environmental changes, reflecting on their process to build a flexible, resilient mindset.

Past projects include our Biohack & Design Workshop, where students explored DNA as a medium, modifying bacteria to produce colored pigments and experimenting with agar-based designs.

These activities demystify biotechnology, making complex techniques accessible and fostering a deep appreciation for biodesign.

Critical Inquiry and Ethical Frameworks

Our curriculum doesn’t just teach technical skills; it encourages students to explore the ethical implications of their work. In biodesign, where ethical and social dimensions are critical, we help students ask “why” and “for whom,” not just “how.”

Students engage with case studies of controversial biotech products, analyzing societal impacts and ethical challenges in areas like gene editing or synthetic biology.

In workshops, such as those on DNA data storage, students explore how future technologies might reshape societal norms and values, while learning to articulate and debate these complex issues.

By embedding ethics into every course, we cultivate socially responsible innovators prepared to navigate biodesign’s broader impacts.

Engaging with Industry and Community Networks

Education at Biodesign Academy is a bridge to both industry and community. We connect students with professionals, enabling them to build networks that extend their learning beyond academic settings.

Through guest speakers, community outreach projects, and collaborations with biohacking spaces, students gain practical exposure and valuable insights.

For instance, our workshops with biotech hubs like Open Cell, or biohacking labs like London’s Hackspace allow students to engage with molecular biology through a design lens, inspiring them to use biotech creatively and meaningfully.

These opportunities reinforce the relevance of biodesign in addressing social and environmental challenges, helping students connect their skills to impactful, real-world applications.

Eager to Discover More?

If you’re a student, educator, or organization interested in our courses or a tailored teaching proposal, get in touch at [email protected].

Don't forget to subscribe to our newsletter for updates on new courses and upcoming workshops!