Pitching a product or idea to tackle some of the biggest challenges facing society
Module details
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Offered to Year 2 students in Autumn Term - Mondays 16:00-18:00
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Offered to Year 3 students in Spring Term - Thursdays 16:00-18:00
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Planned delivery: On campus (South Kensington)
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1-term module worth 5 ECTS
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Available to eligible students as part of I-Explore
Got any questions?
Contact the lecturers
Nick Munroe
n.munro@imperial.ac.uk
Lior Shulak-Hai
l.shulak-hai19@imperial.ac.uk
This I-Explore module invites students to work in multidisciplinary teams with peers from across Imperial College London to tackle open-ended, real-world challenges. Whether rooted in health, sustainability, technology, or social impact, these challenges are framed and developed into strategic, well-communicated proposals.
Over ten weeks, students progress through the core stages of concept development—defining the problem, understanding user and system dynamics, refining solutions, and communicating their work through two key outputs: a live, in-class pitch deck presentation and a 1-minute video optimised for public or online audiences. No prior experience in design or media is required; students are supported through collaborative workshops and guided feedback. These skills are developed progressively through structured activities and peer interaction, helping students build clarity, confidence, and presence.
The module is designed to help students build core skills in framing innovation, working across disciplinary boundaries, and communicating ideas with purpose. These are relevant for any future pathway—academic, professional, or entrepreneurial. Past cohorts have shown strong engagement, with A/B-level performance and over 92% attendance, reflecting the module’s energy and collaborative learning culture.
Please note: The information on this module description is indicative. The module may undergo minor modifications before the start of the coming academic year.
Accordian
Students will learn how to identify opportunities for innovation, understand stakeholder perspectives, and develop user-centred proposals. They will apply behavioural and design thinking methods to shape interventions and communicate their ideas with clarity and impact. Particular emphasis is placed on both verbal and visual presentation skills—preparing students to engage confidently with a range of future collaborators and professional stakeholders.
The module is structured around an exploratory, team-based learning process that includes phases of discovery, definition, development, and delivery. During the early weeks, students are introduced to design frameworks, futures thinking, and collaboration strategies. Following team formation, groups select and refine a concept through primary research, stakeholder analysis, and framing activities. Midway through the term, teaching focuses on how to structure and deliver professional presentations, including visual storytelling, narrative framing, and public speaking. The final weeks are dedicated to the production, rehearsal, and refinement of both the in-class pitch deck presentation and the 1-minute video, with particular attention to narrative clarity, audience engagement, and visual execution. Teams receive feedback from tutors throughout the term during structured check-ins and collaborative workshops. Students are expected to engage critically and constructively, contributing to their own group’s development while supporting the learning environment of their peers. Milestones are paced to ensure consistent progress and support balance with other coursework.
The module will use an exploratory approach comprising phases of discovery, definition, development and delivery. The first few weeks will set the scene for the module, followed by a series of group work activieties, in combination with on-line resources enabling upskilling in designated roles, and setting context and providing guidance for the week by week development of the project. The tutor team will meet with each group for weeks 4-10 providing guidance for the development of the project.
Formative feedback will be provided by tutor feedback statements. Summative feedback will be provided by: Tutor reports of students' engagement and project progress for week 5- week 11 activities; Peer feedback statements and feedback for group videos; Course team feedback statements and proforma assessment of the group videos. In order to assess the videos following the end of term comments will be sought from peers during the first two weeks of the subsequent term. These comments will then be combined with the tutor feedback and communicated during week 4 of the following term.
Coursework
- Pitch deck presentation (30%)
- 1-minute video (30%)
- Peer Assessment of other groups’ project videos (20%)
- Tutor reports of student participation and engagement (20%)
- Requirements: It is compulsory to take an I-Explore module during your degree (you’ll take an I-Explore module in either your 2nd or 3rd year, depending on your department). You are expected to attend all classes and undertake approximately 105 hours of independent study in total during the module. Independent study includes for example reading and preparation for classes, researching and writing coursework assignments, project work and preparing for other assessments
- I-Explore modules are worth 5 ECTS credit towards your degree; to receive these you will have to pass the module. The numerical mark that you obtain will not be included in the calculation of your final degree result, but it will appear on your transcript
- This module is designed as an undergraduate Level 6 course.
- This module is offered by the Dyson School of Design Engineering
"The multidisciplinary nature of the project was invaluable. Collaborating with students from different courses gave me new perspectives on problem-solving and teamwork, which are crucial in healthcare. The process of developing and presenting a final product also enhanced my communication skills, which will be useful in my medical career."
"I have always wanted to build my own start-up, and this has helped me think about the marketing side of it and video production rather than just the technical side, which is arguably more important."
"The collaboration aspect and working with a team and really brainstorming helped with real life because I want to work in business strategy in the future, which involves a lot of teamwork, and this module helped me develop that skill."
"I got a feel for how development of a product in a team goes. That will be helpful for me as an engineer in my studies and beyond."
"The module helped me develop my innovation and creative thinking skills as well as my communication and teamwork skills. Having to come up with a problem and solution as a group, and framing and presenting it, was incredibly valuable."
"I would definitely recommend this module as working with individuals from different academic backgrounds forces you to adapt your communication style, ensuring that complex ideas are conveyed clearly and effectively to a diverse audience, which is a skill that is invaluable in both academic and professional environments."