Gladiators Star Karenjeet Kaur Bains Joins V&A Innovate National Schools Challenge 2026-27 Judging Panel

The Victoria and Albert Museum (V&A) has officially announced a high-profile addition to the judging panel for its upcoming V&A Innovate National Schools Challenge 2026–27. Karenjeet Kaur Bains, the renowned athlete and television personality known to millions as “Athena” from the hit series Gladiators, will join the panel to evaluate the creative design solutions of students across England. Her appointment brings a unique blend of athletic discipline, advocacy for empowerment, and a deep appreciation for the problem-solving nature of design to one of the museum’s most significant educational outreach initiatives.

For the V&A, the Innovate National Schools Challenge is a flagship program designed to foster the next generation of creative thinkers. By challenging students in years 7, 8, and 9 to tackle real-world problems through the lens of design, the museum aims to demonstrate how creative thinking is not just an artistic pursuit, but a vital tool for innovation in every sector of society. Ms. Bains’ involvement serves as a bridge between the world of elite physical performance and the intellectual rigor of design, highlighting the shared qualities of resilience, innovation, and strategic thinking.

A Career Built on Breaking Barriers

Karenjeet Kaur Bains has carved out a trailblazing career that extends far beyond the television screen. As a competitive powerlifter, she made history as the first British Sikh woman to represent her country at both the European and World championships, and she holds the prestigious title of Commonwealth Powerlifting Championships junior champion. Beyond the podium, she has dedicated herself to a broader mission: empowering South Asian women to pursue fitness, break down societal barriers, and cultivate personal strength.

Through her online coaching platform, Bains utilizes her platform to help individuals define and achieve their fitness goals, demonstrating that the pursuit of excellence—whether in sport or in design—requires a structured approach to identifying obstacles and crafting effective solutions. Her background as an athlete who is constantly refining her performance aligns perfectly with the iterative nature of the design process, where failure is not a setback but a necessary step toward refinement.

Designing for a Better Future: The 2026-27 Challenge

The V&A Innovate challenge for 2026–27 is centered around three core themes: Simplify, Empower, and Nurture. These themes are intended to guide students as they navigate the design process, encouraging them to consider the human impact of their creations.

For Ms. Bains, these themes resonate deeply with her own experiences in the sporting arena. She views "Simplify" as the pursuit of efficiency and accessibility—the art of removing friction to make life easier. "Empower," in her view, is the cornerstone of human progress, providing the necessary tools and confidence to help people reach their full potential. Finally, "Nurture" speaks to the importance of the environment; it is about creating spaces, whether physical or metaphorical, where individuals can learn, grow, and thrive. According to Bains, these themes serve as a powerful reminder that the most significant societal advancements are often rooted in small, thoughtful changes that have a profound impact on the daily lives of individuals.

When discussing the role of design in her own life, Bains emphasizes its practical utility. In her professional life, the design of training equipment, the layout of fitness facilities, and the evolution of sports technology are all critical to ensuring safety, maximizing performance, and enhancing accessibility. She advocates for a perspective that prioritizes the user, suggesting that the most successful designs are those that stem from a genuine understanding of human needs rather than a superficial focus on aesthetics.

Insights on Innovation and Curiosity

In conversation about the upcoming challenge, Ms. Bains expressed great enthusiasm for the creative potential of the student participants. Her approach to judging will be focused on the students’ ability to think outside the box and their willingness to embrace the trial-and-error nature of innovation. She hopes to encourage students to recognize that their ideas possess tangible value and the potential to effect real change, regardless of their age or experience level.

Reflecting on the tools that define modern innovation, Bains identified the smartphone as an essential component of her daily life. She views it not merely as a communication device, but as a multifunctional hub that allows her to manage her coaching business, track her training metrics, create content, and remain connected with her clients globally. For her, the smartphone is a quintessential example of how thoughtful design can simplify complex tasks, effectively illustrating the power of innovation to give individuals more time and energy to focus on what truly matters.

Offering advice to those participating in this year’s challenge, Bains urges students to maintain a sense of curiosity and to remain undeterred by initial failures. She emphasizes that the most successful innovations often arise from a willingness to challenge established norms and to look at persistent problems from entirely new perspectives. She also underscores the value of collaborative effort, reminding students that teams benefit from the diverse strengths and unique viewpoints of each member. In her experience as an athlete, progress is rarely linear; it is the result of continuous learning, testing, and improvement. She encourages students to apply this same mentality to their design projects, reassuring them that they do not need to be experts to create something meaningful.

Registration and Participation

The V&A Innovate National Schools Challenge is currently open for registration. The program is specifically targeted at student groups in years 7, 8, and 9 within state schools in England. To support students and teachers throughout the design process, the V&A has provided a comprehensive suite of resources, including a theme inspiration pack and detailed toolkits. These resources are designed to guide participants through the various stages of the design journey, from the initial ideation phase to the final submission of their projects.

By integrating these resources, the museum aims to lower the barrier to entry, ensuring that students from all backgrounds have the opportunity to engage with design thinking. As the competition progresses, the inclusion of voices like Karenjeet Kaur Bains highlights the V&A’s commitment to broadening the conversation around design, showing that creativity is a universal language that can be applied to solve the challenges of the future. Schools interested in taking part are encouraged to visit the official V&A website to register and access the available project materials as they embark on their own innovative journey.