Life paths
Doctoral Community
Alessandro Pollini
Associate Professor of Industrial Design, with experience in both traditional and distance learning Universities. His background is in human-computer interaction, cognitive ergonomics, and interaction design. He is Committee Member in the PhD Program in Service Design for the Public Sector, University of Rome La Sapienza.
João Bonelli
My Bio will be here
Kristof Vaes
Professor in inclusive design and design for interaction. With prior experience in design teams, his doctoral research on 'Stigma-free design' led him to champion human-centered and inclusive design in education and research.
Teresa Franqueira
Teresa Franqueira is Associate Professor at the University of Aveiro. She is the Vice-president and serves on the Executive Board of the Cumulus Association and was the International Coordinator of the DESIS Network (Design for Social Innovation and Sustainability). Teresa supervises PhD and Master’s students in areas such as Design for Social Innovation, Design for Sustainability, Product Design, and Service Design.
Gisela Fortuna
PhD and Consultant and strategist in education, innovation, culture, and design with extensive international experience in European projects, design methodology, and sustainability. I lead educational and creative initiatives, manage collaborative projects, and support teams facing complex challenges through strategic vision, creativity, and forward-thinking. Passionate about pedagogical models and social transformation.
Kamran Qureshi
Dr Kamran Qureshi is an award-winning British film and television director, producer, and Senior Fellow of the UK’s Higher Education Academy. He teaches film and television at Southampton Solent University and researches Hollywood, British, Australian, Canadian, and Indian cinema, as well as gender and intersex representation. His Professional practice PhD in film, TV and Media blending theory with filmmaking practice. He mentors students and colleagues in research, teaching and media practice.
Simon Lindblom
Simon Lindblom is a PhD Candidate in Innovation and Design at Mälardalen University, Sweden. His research intersects creativity, ethics, and education amidst societal uncertainty. Developing the "Moral Aesthetic Action" framework, he employs artistic and participatory methods to "unsettle" norms. Through initiatives like KICMIS and Konstlek på Råby, he fosters futures literacy and agency, advocating for design practices that embrace complexity and social justice over predetermined outcomes.
anna checola
Anna Checola is a PhD candidate in Design whose research explores the relationship between visual representation, territorial narratives, and processes of marginalization. Her work focuses on mountain and inner areas, investigating how regimes of visibility shape perceptions, policies, and local identities. Positioning design as a critical and situated practice, she examines mapping and counter-cartography as tools to challenge dominant narratives and to support the co-creation of plural, place
Lorenzo Imbesi
I am a Full Professor of Design at Sapienza University of Rome, where I have been directing Sapienza Design Research, coordinating interdisciplinary projects across eleven departments. I serve as President of the Italian Society of Design (SID) and chair the joint PhD Program in Service Design for Public Sector. My experiences across different cultural contexts, from Canada to Europe, have shaped my understanding of the importance of diverse perspectives in design education and research.
Priscila Farias
Priscila Lena Farias, Ph.D., is an Associate Professor of the Faculty of Architecture, Urbanism, and Design at the University of São Paulo (FAU USP). She was the Editor-in-chief of the journal InfoDesign for 20 years (2004–2024), is currently a member of the Editorial Board of the Journal of Design History, and The Design Journal, and a referee for several other scientific publications and research funding agencies. She supervises PhD research since 2005.
MAWULIKPLIM AMA AYIKOE
Cofounder of Design school in Togo. Founder and MD of AYIN’A MOBILIER ET DECORATION. PhD in Interior Architecture and Design. Award 2025 African Woman Leader, Agir Ensemble pour l'Afrique (AEA) Foundation. Award 2024 Togo's Influential Woman Entrepreneur Award – Role Model. WILAT. Award 2026 Awardee IWEC. Professional in building finishing. Expertise in analysis of finishing tasks, the design of building layout plans. Creativity and leadership.
DANIEL KOFFI DODZI AMOUZOU AMEDEY
Daniel Koffi Dodzi AMOUZOU AMEDEY is CoFounder of the first interior design school in West Africa. I am also leading the International Development Relationship Officer. I am working on a project to integrate the design of natural buildings with modern design. I am also working on setting up a charitable foundation for supporting talents and creators
Irene Irene
Test
Eliza Gawrjołek
PhD student in social sciences in the field of social communication and media studies. Her interests focus on interdisciplinary research into cultural processes in which design, sustainable development, and social innovation play a key role. She pays particular attention to the study of creativity and inclusiveness as important factors of transformation, and to the analysis of communication dynamics in the context of contemporary media and their impact on ideas about the future.
María Dolores Hernández
Associate Professor of Fashion Design, architect trained at the University of Valladolid and pattern maker, she also holds a Master’s degree in Teacher Training. Her academic and research profile is situated at the intersection of architecture and fashion design, with a particular focus on design processes, pattern making, and interdisciplinary methodologies. She is currently pursuing a doctoral thesis exploring the convergences between fashion and architecture.
Yueyue Chen
I am a PhD candidate in Design at the School of Design, University of Leeds, having commenced my doctoral studies in 2023. Prior to and alongside my doctoral studies, I have been engaged in fashion and textile design practice, including independent and collaborative projects, which informs my research particularly in understanding how design decisions are made within real world contexts. In parallel, I engage with broader theoretical questions in design.
Hannah Scoones
Design researcher with background in sustainability, design, art, textiles and qualitative research.
Yulin Li
Design PhD candidate focused on smart textiles and wearable health systems. I combine expertise in textile‑based sensors (e.g., embroidered electrodes, flexible electronics), physiological signal monitoring (HRV, temperature, activity), and human‑centred interaction design. My work aims to make continuous health monitoring comfortable, accessible, and actionable for users and caregivers. Eager to apply cross‑disciplinary design methods to real‑world product development in medical wearables, assi
Amani Alattas
PhD researcher at the University of Leeds working in the areas of inclusive design, multisensory experience, textile art, and practice-based design research.
Shahid Zaheer
I am Shahid Zaheer, an Assistant Professor, fashion designer and PhD candidate in Apparel and Manufacturing at National Textile University, Faisalabad, Pakistan. My work focuses on sustainable fashion design, pattern making, draping, garment construction, digital innovation, fashion design pedagogy and curriculum development. I combine creative practice with academic research and teaching, linking traditional techniques with contemporary design education.
Sevice Design for Public Sector
The Associate Doctorate in Service Design for Public Sector (SDPS) aims to train executives and professionals capable of responding to the innovation process of the Public Sector, particularly Public Administrations (PA). The specialization and uniqueness of the Doctorate is to prepare researcher figures in the field of Service Design who operate in the public sector. The associate nature of the Doctorate connects the resources and expertise of 6 universities and training institutes.
Interaction Design
Descr