338I_Alison Watson, Founder and Chief Executive of Class Of Your Own

"The future of cities will be delivered by that 8-year old. Because that 8-year old is soon 18 and then 28."

Are you interested in involving the next generation into the building industry? What do you think about the knowledge and behaviour shortage? How can we encourage real partnerships between schools and the industry?

Interview with Alison Watson, Founder and Chief Executive of Class Of Your Own. We will talk about her vision for the future of cities, the next generation, education as increasing confidence and resilience, and many more.

Alison Watson MBE is the Founder and Chief Executive of Class Of Your Own (COYO), a social enterprise revolutionizing education in the built environment sector. Starting her industry life as a land surveyor, Alison’s industry expertise has fuelled her passion for the past 16 years to educate the next generation in surveying, architecture, engineering, and construction. Through COYO’s Design Engineer Construct! (DEC) curriculum, she has empowered thousands of students and teachers globally with innovative STEM programs, work experience, and accredited qualifications via TQUK. Honored with an MBE, an Honorary Doctorate from Heriot Watt University, and an Honorary Fellowship of the Chartered Institution of Civil Engineering Surveyors, Alison now serves as the CICES President (2024-5), championing “Make Space for Education.”

Find out more about Alison through these links:

• Alison Watson on LinkedIn
• Alison Watson on X
• Alison Watson on Instagram
• Class of Your Own website
• Class of Your Own on LinkedIn
• @ClassofYourOwn as Class of Your Own on X
• Class of Your Own on Instagram
• Design Engineer Construct (DEC) website
• Design Engineer Construct (DEC) on YouTube

Connecting episodes you might be interested in:

• No.114 - Interview with Kelly Boucher about involving kids intro the built environment
• No.268 - Interview with Tiff Williams about kids discussing their environments
• No.337R - Child-Friendly Cities and Communities: opportunities and challenges
• No.340 - Interview with Aaron Stupple and Logan Chipkin about bringing up the next generation in a non-coercive way

What was the most interesting part for you? What questions did arise for you? Let me know on Twitter ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@WTF4Cities⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ or on the ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠wtf4cities.com⁠⁠⁠⁠