Alia began her journey in the social development sector, working to understand the landscape of education in under-resourced communities and rural livelihoods for women in India. Through the journey, what stood out most was a sharp understanding of power dynamics, gendered roles, and ingrained oppressive systems that go unchallenged – continuing to breed cycles of inequality. This led her to the Royal College of Art, where she is now exploring Service Design as a means to rethink these systems, learning ways to rebuild societal structures that enable all members to thrive.
Shaped by her lived experiences within her community, she is deeply engaged in political & cultural histories and social movements to better understand the world today. Through her practice, she aims to push design into overlooked spaces – where people are excluded, systems fail and where change feels out of reach.
Apart from complaining about minor inconveniences in life, you might find her taking a fall off a skateboard, hiking on weekends, or experimenting with pottery. Anything local, handmade, and a little off the beaten path – she’s all in!