Alifiya Mutaher (she/her) is a social design researcher, creative practitioner, and cultural entrepreneur. From Sri Lanka and currently based in Bangalore, India. Using methods like co-design, community engagement and futuring, she designs strategies, programs,  services and experiences. Towards equitable futures for all.

Over the past 10 years, she has worked with non-profits, purpose-led organisations and co-founded cultural entities across South and Southeast Asia. She brings regional expertise in social innovation, environmental advocacy, healthcare, and creative culture. Alifiya has worked with organisations such as Google News Initiative, British Council, Secondmuse, Circulate Capital, Quicksand and Sri Lanka National Crafts Council. She was an International Rescue Committee Fellow 22'.

Where infrastructure for the creative ecosystem is limited, she has built communities and co-founded platforms like Colombo Design Market and Local Forecast for artists and designers to explore fresh creative culture. In Bangalore, she continues to connect the dots across creative, cultural and social design spaces.

Growing up in Sri Lanka, the pace of the island strongly influences her independent creative practice. Her recent work explores alternate cultures of leisure, time, and belonging using speculative approaches and storytelling.