Stiliyana Minkovska
About Stiliyana Minkovska
Currently, working tirelessly to disrupt the invasive gynaecological practices of applying the speculum during pelvic and vaginal examinations at Matrix Health & Care. We are on a mission to to completely revolutionise women's sexual, reproductive and maternal health and care. By training and passion, I am a qualified architect and a transdisciplinary designer with thirst for equitable and inclusive female and maternal health and well-being. In July 2022 I completed my second masters in research (MRes) in Healthcare and Design (joint degree between Imperial College London and the Royal College of Art), where I created M.O.T.H.E.R. &Design, which stands for Midwifery and Obstetric Transformations in Healthcare Environments through Research &Design. It exists as set of creative problem-solving lens to one of the most profound experiences and the most common reason for hospital admission in England – childbirth. M.O.T.H.E.R. &Design and the development of a methodology addressing maternal issues across the birthing landscape was awarded with distinction. Perhaps, the greatest recognition I've received for my work and dedication to the field so far. Prior to that I completed the Designers in Residence programme with the Design Museum where I created Ultima Thule - a set of sculptural childbirth triptych for physiological labour, childbirth and postnatal recuperation. The set was donated to St Thomas’ hospital in London where my children were born and where my entire passion for maternal design commenced in 2015. The pieces are still there in their Home from Home Birth Centre. I also act as the Public and Patient Voices Lead for the Maternity Voices Partnerships in the North West as part of NHS England and Improvement. A tiny role for a great impact, especially since the Final Ockenden Report in March 2022. Alongside this I run my own freelance studio under my name where I offer architectural and design services, mostly focused on perinatal experiences of people navigating through the maternity health and care systems. I trained and worked as an Architect at various London-based practices and qualified (ARB/ RIBA Part III) with the Bartlett, UCL in 2018.