About the lecture
The complex social and environmental problems facing the world need designers and creative thinking more than ever. Designers must develop new responsible, ethical and inclusive ways to design the places, spaces and systems that allow communities to thrive and flourish.
In her inaugural lecture, Professor Cain will probe the changing shape of the design discipline and its ability to tackle these challenges – now and in the future – by drawing on her experience in working between, across and beyond disciplines.
From her research into wellbeing within environments and systems – spanning urban soundscapes and cities for electric cars, healthcare services and facilities, and homes and homelessness – she will highlight defining moments in her journey as a transdisciplinary design researcher.
Her story culminates in her ultimate quest to tackle complex issues through meaningful collaborative research via her most important project to date – the HOME CDT.
By asking, “Can undisciplined designers create better futures?” she urges us to think about how design must change in the future, imagine the new spaces for transdisciplinary collaboration, and consider the implications of this for research and education.