Simeon Shtebunaev is an interdisciplinary researcher in the built environment. Their PhD project at Birmingham City University explores how young people engage in the planning of future ‘smart’ cities. He was a principal investigator on the AHRC funded project “Are you game for climate action?” developing the board game Climania with young people focusing on the role of the built environment in climate change.

Simeon was selected as the RIBAJ Rising Star 2021 and RTPI Young Planner of the Year 2022. He chairs the Cultural Infrastructure and Investment working group part of the WMCA Cultural Leadership Board.