News

Queensland University of Technology's (QUT) School of Design has strengthened its real-world connections, bringing three industry professionals into new professorial roles.

Experts in architecture and landscape architecture will join the Creative Industries faculty as Professors of Design in 2013. The appointments coincide with a new model of professorial input being implemented by the school.

Head of School Professor Paul Sanders believes the new members of staff will offer significant contributions to QUT.

"The new model capitalises on the opportunity to appoint leading national design experts into fractional professorial positions," Professor Sanders said.

"The benefits to the School of Design will be an increased level and diversity of industry and /professional engagement through the impact of 'real world' design expertise in both research and teaching, particularly at post-graduate coursework level."

Professor Sanders said the appointments will allow unique inter-disciplinary opportunities to arise.

"The professors of design all operate their practice on the sustainable principle of inter-disciplinarity and, community engagement in the design process. This approach will engender authentic collaboration across the multiple disciplines and research areas in the school."

Newly appointed Professor Jim Gall hopes to use his expertise to encourage students to think about sustainability for the future. The award-winning architect said the role of architecture and design must adapt to a changing environment.

"Designers of all sorts must learn to think more deeply about the issues of providing suitable habitation in a potentially unsettled social and economic context," Professor Gall said.

"Part of my broader 'agenda' is to redirect our understanding of design and redirect the way designers think about sustainability."

Registered architect and urban designer Professor Peter Richards will continue his academic career when he joins the School of Design. A founding director of Deicke Richards, a multi-disciplinary design practice, Professor Richards has also been an Adjunct Professor in the former QUT School of Built Environment and Engineering.

"It is a great opportunity for a practitioner who has a long standing involvement in teaching and research," Professor Richards said of his appointment.

A regular contributor to design conferences and enquiry-by-design workshops, Professor Richards is committed to developing the skills of new design students.

"I want the work of the students to be relevant and provocative so they can contribute to the debate about design and urban quality in Brisbane and beyond. I want to foster architects who are passionate about urbanism and the role of architecture in helping form urban places."

Kevin O'Brien is also joining the Creative Industries Faculty as a professor of design. Professor O'Brien has 17 years architectural and research experience working for both public and private organisations, and established his own architectural business Kevin O'Brien Architects in 2006.

Professor O'Brien said that QUT's School of Design is well positioned to "blossom" as a progressive teaching environment.

"The dedication of the current leadership together with the international and local mix of staff make for a dynamic exchange of ideas. I am looking forward to making what I intend will be a valuable and unique contribution," he said.

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QUT School of Design

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Emma White

Phone

07 313 89027

Email

e10.white@qut.edu.au

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About School of Design