Experiments in learning design: Creating space for creativity and continuity in design education

In this winning entry to the Institution’s 2016 Excellence in Structural Engineering Education Award, Tim Stratford describes the changes that the University of Edinburgh’s School of Engineering has made to its civil engineering degree programmes in order to put creative design at the heart of the learning process. The article discusses the motivation for these changes, the steps that have been taken to create a “design thread” for students, the results that have been achieved, future challenges relating to digital engineering, and learning points which will help other universities wishing to set out on a similar path.