Girls That Geek 2026

Saba Khan’s interdisciplinary work stretches over the fields of art, ecology, performance, colonial histories which come together through expeditions, research and fieldwork. The work explores the history and politics of water bodies, flow, fluidity - bodies blocking water and bodies moving along water. 

Saba's multimedia works traffic in the language of memorial, monument and public projects. From miniature dioramas of a bureaucrat's boring office, flashing LED of retro sci-fi machines seen at power stations to indigo textile banners honouring peasant revolts; she balances grandeur, artifice and satire in order to explore the cracks in the structures. 

She has taught at the National College of Arts, Lahore for 13 years and now teaches at the Chelsea College of Arts as an Associate Lecturer. In 2014 founded Murree Museum Artist Residency that continued as a satirical collective ‘Pak Khawateen Painting Club’ in 2019. Saba currently lives and works in between London/Lahore.

Keeley Traee explores digital craft through 3D printing in biodegradable materials, made from 100% renewable and natural materials. Keeley is excited by the endless possibilities this design technology offers and is enjoying the exploration of the many exciting materials available. 

After establishing her design consultancy in 2020, Keeley now provides expertise to clients who wish to create exciting and meaningful product collections. Using their extensive experience in ceramic design and design management to evaluate market trends and consumer research, they develop mood boards, create concept development through initial designs, provide 3D surfaces for shape design, prototyping, and finally technical drawings for manufacture.

Keeley is a senior lecturer at the University of Staffordshire Product, Furniture, Ceramics BA (Hons). The mixed material course allows her to work with students with their ceramic designs and making processes and with many other materials and objects such as furniture. Working alongside the amazing course leader, and design industry experts, Keeley thoroughly enjoy sharing her knowledge and over 30 years of experience with the next generation of creatives.

Lorna Nickson Brown is a director, screenwriter and actress from Birmingham, UK.

She was selected by Creative UK as one of ten emerging female filmmakers within the British creative industries, and most recently, she was chosen for the Directors UK Inspire Programme 2025, where she is being mentored by BAFTA-winning director Saul Dibb.

Her short film, “Dog Run,” won the 2023 Breaking Boundaries Grand Prize Award at the Academy Award-qualifying 41st Flickers’ Rhode Island International Film Festival. The film has garnered multiple awards at festivals worldwide and is now available on Apple TV. Her BFI NETWORK-supported short, “Ned & Me,” was included in the 2021 International Competition at the Academy Award-qualifying 43rd Clermont-Ferrand Film Festival and received a nomination for a Royal Television Society Midlands Award.

She is currently in post-production on her upcoming short film, “The Net,” a British-Filipino co-production funded by the British Council and the Film Development Council of the Philippines. Filmed in the Philippines and Scotland in August and September 2025, “The Net,” serves as a springboard for a long-form project currently in development.
Lorna crafts and brings to life stories that reflect the realities of the world while also imagining a better place. Her work is characterised by its emotional truth and distinctive atmosphere. She portrays the lives of people who live on the margins, or in times of crisis, showing their resilience and how there is light in darkness, hope in adversity. Her goal is to help audiences feel the marvel of life. She is a member of BAFTA Connect and Directors UK.

Alima Rico is a multidisciplinary artist working under two creative identities: OURISUALS for her visual work and AFFIE / AFFIEJAM for her music.

As OURISUALS, she works across visual note-taking, zine-making, illustration and accessible design. With an academic background in psychology, her practices often focus on transforming complex ideas like identity, community and lived experiences - into accessible, engaging and playful visual forms. As AFFIE / AFFIEJAM, she is a singer-songwriter, multi-instrumentalist, producer and DJ and has been collectively active in the scene for 14 years. 

Across both practices, Alima is committed to creativity as a tool for expression and connection - bringing people together, making space for unheard stories, and imagining futures where everyone is seen and included.

Gemma is the founder of Let’s Animate, an animation facilitation company she launched in 2011 to spark creativity and bring stories to life through the magic of animation. With over 20 years of experience, she is passionate about empowering children and adults to explore their imagination, build confidence, and develop hands-on animation skills.
After graduating with first-class honours in Animation, Gemma began her career as a 2D animator at Ragdoll Productions, home of Teletubbies and In The Night Garden and later freelanced for brands including Nestlé, Ladybird, Yahoo, and Munch Bunch. Along the way, she discovered her love for teaching, which led her to specialise in animation facilitation and creative storytelling. 

Through her workshops, clubs, courses, parties, and custom animation kits, Gemma has helped hundreds of budding filmmakers bring their ideas to life. She thrives on inspiring others, fostering self-expression, and building a vibrant, supportive creative community. Always exploring new ways to share the magic of animation, Gemma continues to create experiences that encourage imagination, play, and storytelling for all ages. She is dedicated, approachable, and endlessly passionate about helping others discover the joy of bringing their stories to life one frame at a time.

Mikayla is the Head of People and Culture at Hood Futures Studio, a community infrastructure organisation working at the intersection of cultural, economic, climate and land justice to address the root causes of 'hood displacement and dispossession. 

Mikayla has a passion for leading with an inclusive intersectional mindset whilst centering joy. She combines her passions of gaming and leadership development through her flagship series #GameJoy. The series encourages marginalised communities to carve their space in gaming, whether for joy or career. 
Mikayla has a wealth of experience in supporting diverse talent to reach positions of influence and leadership. She was part of the 2019 cohort of Birmingham Live’s 30 under 30 in recognition of her work in this area. 

An enthusiastic gamer and passionate speaker, Mikayla is keen to ensure the region has a healthy, joyous, and thriving creative ecosystem.

Alima Rico is a multidisciplinary artist working under two creative identities: OURISUALS for her visual work and AFFIE / AFFIEJAM for her music.

As OURISUALS, she works across visual note-taking, zine-making, illustration and accessible design. With an academic background in psychology, her practices often focus on transforming complex ideas like identity, community and lived experiences - into accessible, engaging and playful visual forms. As AFFIE / AFFIEJAM, she is a singer-songwriter, multi-instrumentalist, producer and DJ and has been collectively active in the scene for 14 years. 

Across both practices, Alima is committed to creativity as a tool for expression and connection - bringing people together, making space for unheard stories, and imagining futures where everyone is seen and included.