At Design Indaba’s 25th Anniversary, Manu Prakash a physical biologist, engineer and MacArthur Fellow delivered a compelling talk on his pioneering concept ‘”frugal science”. The concept positions science not as an exclusive discipline but as something that should be radically accessible to all. His vision is realized through a design approach that focuses on creating low-cost, highly functional tools for use in resource-limited environments.
His talk shared a simple but urgent problem: there are not enough scientists in the world, especially in regions where scientific tools and infrastructure are scarce. His response is to design tools that are inexpensive, portable and easy to use, enabling anyone, anywhere, to participate in scientific discovery. One of Prakash’s most celebrated inventions, the Foldscope, exemplifies this philosophy. Made from paper and a tiny lens, the origami-style microscope costs less than a dollar yet can magnify specimens up to 2,000 times. Lightweight, portable and durable, it allows for what Prakash calls “science in the field” or even “diagnostics under a tree” , bringing powerful tools directly to communities rather than requiring access to formal laboratories.
Prakash’s approach activates inclusion in scientific fields. By lowering the barriers to entry, he envisions a world where amateur and professional scientists collaborate, expanding both knowledge and participation. Through his work Manu Prakash is reframing design as a means of unlocking curiosity at scale, turning science into a shared, global endeavour.
