About Nesta

Nesta is an innovation foundation. For us, innovation means turning bold ideas into reality and changing lives for the better. We use our expertise, skills and funding in areas where there are big challenges facing society.

Unlocking the social value of museums, galleries and heritage sites to support lower-income families.

Combining Nesta’s evidence-informed approach and Art Fund’s cultural sector expertise, this partnership aims to apply research and development methods to create a playful, facilitated programme rooted in evidence and co-designed with academic experts and museums that could be implemented across the sector. Mini Wonders – the Early Years Innovation in Museums programme – aims to support early child development and enhance parent-child interactions ensuring more families can benefit from the unique, life-enriching experiences offered by our museums and galleries. This pioneering programme – the first of its kind in the museum sector – will initially run for two years, supporting as many families as possible to experience and contribute to the work.

Team

Louise Bazalgette

Louise Bazalgette

Louise Bazalgette

Deputy Director, fairer start mission

Louise works as part of a multi-disciplinary innovation team focused on narrowing the outcome gap for disadvantaged children.

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Sarah Cattan

Sarah Cattan

Sarah Cattan

Mission Director, fairer start mission

Sarah leads Nesta's a fairer start mission.

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Deborah Fox

Deborah Fox

Deborah Fox

Director of Creative Innovation

Deborah leads Nesta's Arts practice.

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Anna Landreth Strong

Anna Landreth Strong

Anna Landreth Strong

Creative Producer, Arts Practice

Anna is a creative producer for Nesta’s Arts practice.

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Umesh (uMe) Pandya

Umesh (uMe) Pandya

Umesh (uMe) Pandya

Design Lead, Design & Technology Practice

Umesh is the design lead for the fairer start mission.

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Adrian Stymne

Adrian Stymne

Adrian Stymne

Behavioural scientist, sustainable future mission

Adrian is a behavioural scientist in the sustainable future mission, applying behavioural science to support the UK's journey to net zero.

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Camille Stengel

Camille Stengel

Camille Stengel

Head of Qualitative Research and Quality Assurance, Responsible Research Unit

Camille is the Head of Qualitative Research and Quality Assurance.

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Vivek Roy-Chowdhury

Vivek Roy-Chowdhury

Vivek Roy-Chowdhury

Principal Researcher, fairer start mission

He/Him

Vivek works as a principal researcher in Nesta's fairer start mission.

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David Bleines

David Bleines

David Bleines

Senior Researcher, Responsible Research Unit

David joins Nesta as a senior researcher within the Responsible Research Unit.

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Simran Motiani

Simran Motiani

Simran Motiani

Analyst, fairer start mission

Simran joins Nesta as an analyst for the fairer start mission.

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Natalie May

Natalie May

Natalie May

Operations Assistant, Central Programmes

Natalie joins Nesta as an operations assistant for the Central Programmes Office.

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Max Blore

Max Blore

Max Blore

Designer, Design & Technology

He/Him

Max is a designer for the fairer start mission.

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