Reflecting on 2024: Wins and Lessons Learnt

Finally, the end of the year has come, and it’s time to stop, think, and celebrate the trip I’ve been on. From big steps forward to lessons learned, 2024 has been a year of big successes, difficulties, and growth.

Achievements and Successes

I’ve been lucky enough to have a number of experiences this year that have shaped both my personal and work growth. Among the most important are:

Giving a TEDx talk was a big accomplishment. Even though the buildup was scary, I now see that my worries were all in my head. I had a great time sharing my thoughts on such a recognised stage.

I published two important journal articles about using Generative AI. One was about making an AI career mentor for early-career researchers, published in CERN IdeaSquare Journal of Experimental Innovation, and the other was about how to use Generative AI in an architect’s design process, published in The Design Journal.

I have integrated AI into my teaching preparation workflow, which made me a lot more efficient and productive as a teacher. I also integrated AI into my research and writing workflow, to help me brainstorm ideas and critique my work.

What am I most proud of? Without a doubt, the TEDx talk. Looking back, I felt a great sense of achievement getting out of my comfort zone to share my ideas with more people online.

Challenges and Setbacks

Of course, no year is without its obstacles. For me, 2024 brought its own set of challenges.

It was hard for me to get architecture students to think conceptually and creatively about their work. A lot of students these days seemed to only care about getting their work done in the shortest amount of time. This makes it hard to encourage creativity and deep thinking.

Three of the research grant applications I submitted were rejected. Upon reflection, I’ve come to understand that my interest in opportunistic research doesn’t always fit with grant funders’ focus on problem-solving research.

Nonetheless, it’s been helpful to learn from these setbacks, which has made me rethink my approach in 2025.

Personal Growth and Learning

This year has been one of personal development.

I’ve learned how to use AI tools in almost all of my projects, which has changed how I do my work and made me more creative. I am invested to lean into this a lot more in 2025.

Making health and exercise a priority again has become an important part of my daily life. It has kept me sane and makes me feel like I’m aging well.

Being a part of an emerging leader programme at work has taught me a lot about how to lead teams, help people work together, and understand their own strengths.

These experiences have not only enriched my personal and professional life but have also given me tools to thrive in the years ahead.

By the Numbers

2024 was a year of measurable accomplishments.

I published four journal articles, one conference proceedings, five conference papers, and one book chapter.

I gained three new PhD students.

According to Google Scholar, I doubled my citation count from 19 in 2023 to 39 in 2024.

I became an Editorial Fellow at Parametric Architecture, and I received the Cultural & Leadership Award in my School.

These metrics are not just numbers; they represent the culmination of hard work and dedication throughout the year.

By the Stories

Numbers only tell part of the story. What really defines the year are the times of connection, thought, and impact.

I paid for a student award to honour their hard work and excellence in architectural design. It was something new, but it meant a lot to me. Giving money to younger designers made me think of how important it is to give back, especially when they face with greater life challenges than when I was studying at university.

The emerging leader course made me think about what it means to be a leader. I learned that people mostly act on their feelings and that being a leader isn’t always about how smart you are; it’s about how you connect with others, inspire them, and bring out the best in them.

I’ve learned this year that working with people you like is much more satisfying than working with people you only trust their skills. When it comes down to it, the interactions and connections are what matter. It’s not always the work that’s important.

The TEDx Talk taught me a very important lesson about fear. The way the crowd responded to and remembered the event turned out to be very different to my memory of the event. This was a strong reminder that how we see ourselves is often different to reality.

Looking Ahead

The year 2025 looks like it will be another exciting one. Big goals are important to me:

• I’m applying for a promotion to Senior Lecturer.
• I’ve started writing a book about AI, design, and creativity.
• I’m going to share more of my academic and design insights online.

I will also write more often online to share my ideas and connect with more people.

Last Thoughts

This year, 2024, I’ve pushed the limits, dealt with problems, and laid the groundwork for even bigger success. Even though I could do better, I’m happy with how far I’ve come and look forward to what’s to come. Here’s to continuing the journey of learning, growth, and making an impact in 2025!