Alice has built her skills and career in a global context, firstly on a placement year in China and then with a move to Uganda to join AFRIpads.
This social business manufactures reusable sanitary pads for refugees and women in rural Africa, while providing sustainable employment for women in a village in Uganda.
Since joining AFRIpads five years ago, Alice has gone on to build and lead a design team and now manages the company’s R&D department.
She has driven investigations in consumer experience through to manufacture and marketing and worked closely with the CEO and Managing Director for product development.
As well as having the opportunity to explore and launch new products, Alice reflects that her greatest job satisfaction is knowing that the company’s work is positively impacting the lives of millions of women and girls in Africa.
Alice says: “During my time at Bournemouth I learnt four things about myself:
- I am a feminist
- I want to explore the world, not through backpacking trips, but through living in other cultures
- I want to be a leader
- I want to use my degree to drive positive impact
I am lucky to have met all these aspirations with my current career.”
Factfile
Name: Alice Parlett
Age: 28
Job role: Design, Research and Development Manager
Organisation: AFRIpads Uganda Ltd
Course studied: BA (Hons) Industrial Design
Graduated: 2015
What their colleagues say
Alice is an extraordinarily talented industrial designer with a vast and expert skillset, innate leadership and management qualities, and a true sense of vision. Alice is already making her mark on the world – harnessing her skills and applying user-centred design to create life-changing, sustainable products that have already impacted the lives of millions. Alice is a rising star, with the intellect and drive to go the distance."
Sophia Grinvalds, Managing Director, AFRIpads Uganda Ltd