QUT Design Lab celebrate International Women's Day 2021

  • QUT Design Lab celebrate International Women's Day 2021

The women of the QUT Design Lab share some insight into their roles as Women, Leaders and Designers.

Professor Evonne Miller – Professor in Design Psychology

What does International Women’s Day mean to you?

Remembering and celebrating the pioneering women who came before us – we talk about breaking the class ceiling, and we have, but there is still much more to do!

What does it mean to be a woman in the Higher Education / Design sector?

To me, it is about role-modelling opportunities to others – I grew up on a farm in rural NZ, and was the first in family to attend university. To be a professor at a university, and to be doing the work I do – it is a privilege.

Tell us about a recent Research highlight / achievement.

What I am most proud of is my recent work, in the design for health space. Having the opportunity to put “design thinking and doing” in healthcare, and to use design as a positive change agent – its such a privilege.

Tell us about a woman who inspires you.

Regardless of your politics, I have to say Hilary Clinton – there is a woman who got out there and worked; she was critiqued and criticised – but she kept going. That resilience in action is inspiring to me.

A/Professor Natalie Bradford – Principal Research Fellow, School of Nursing

What does International Women’s Day mean to you?

Time to stop and reflect on the strength, determination and courage of the women who have come before me and who paved the way.

What does it mean to be a woman in the Higher Education / Design sector?

Its a privileged space and there is a sense of responsibility to see others grow and achieve.

Tell us about a recent Research highlight / achievement.

I did my first podcast! and it was actually quite popular apparently!!

Tell us about a woman who inspires you.

Lately it is Amanda Gorman- her poem was so amazing, and I loved the play of colours, the red, white and blue and her yellow coat.

A/Professor Marianella Chamorro-Koc – Associate Professor in Industrial Design

What does International Women’s Day mean to you?

A moment where we pause, reflect, acknowledge and feel proud about the achievements of women from all walks of lives in the world. From scientists, to advocates, to community leaders, to researchers and academics. It is an opportunity to acknowledge the incredible -and often invisible- work that women do everyday for the benefit of their families, communities, for the expansion of knowledge and society wellbeing.

What does it mean to be a woman in the Higher Education / Design sector?

Historically, women worldwide had to fight their right to access higher education. Nowadays we see more presence of women leaders at universities and in STEM fields, but the visibility and acknowledgement of our work continues to be a challenging feat. This is most evident in technology related fields. To me, being a woman in HE means a responsibility to support, foster and make way for the new generation of women in HE and in Design.

Tell us about a recent Research highlight / achievement.

Because of my research in design for disability, I was the first Design Researcher achieving a Fulbright Scholarship in Peru. I have continued this work in Design for Health and two of my recent achievements are: the completion of my ARC Linkage grant Seamless Journeys to Work for Young People with Disabilities, and the research with technology for empathy building I am doing with hospitals in the area of paediatrics.

Tell us about a woman who inspires you.

Australian Professor Genevieve Bell for her inspiring work in the intersection of culture and technological development; and Michelle Obama for her leadership strength and her ability to communicate and engage with all kind of audiences.

A/Professor Janice Rieger – Associate Professor in Architecture & Built Environment

What does International Women’s Day mean to you?

It is a day that celebrates all women across the world and recognises the important contributions that women have made, and still make everyday to create a better and more just world.

What does it mean to be a woman in the Higher Education / Design sector?

I feel very privileged to be a woman in Higher Education and the first woman in my family to earn a Doctorate. As a woman in design, it is a really exciting place to be, as we are mediators between the HASS and STEM disciplines and see the world differently through a designerly lens.

Tell us about a recent Research highlight / achievement.

Recently, I was awarded an ARC grant to co-design and curate the first disability arts archive in Australia. This groundbreaking research is really exciting, as we will be able to share the often invisible narratives of disabled artists nationally. This work has also lead to my recent work with disadvantaged artists and designers in remote regions of Australia, some that identify as Aboriginal, to give them the support and knowledge they need to share their work with a national audience. My work with artists and in creating cultures of inclusion, also just won an Australian National MAGNA award.

Tell us about a woman who inspires you.

All women inspire me. From my sisters and nieces, to my mother and grandmother who was blind, to my HDR students, mentors and colleagues–my life is full because I am surrounded by strong, inspiring women. I grew up listening to Helen Reddy’s “I Am Woman”, and it plays in my head throughout the day, and should remind all of us women to continue to roar in numbers too big to ignore.

A/Professor Alice Payne – Associate Professor in Fashion

What does International Women’s Day mean to you?

A day to celebrate the contributions and perspectives of all women while acknowledging how far the world has to go towards equality.

What does it mean to be a woman in the Higher Education / Design sector?

For me in Fashion, much of my teaching and research is with or for women. Even though everyone wears clothes, production and consumption of fashion is persistently gendered. Of particular note, the majority of our clothes are made by women who are some of the world’s most vulnerable workers.

Tell us about a recent Research highlight / achievement.

My book was published this year: Designing Fashion’s Future: Present Practice and Tactics for Sustainable Change.

Tell us about a woman who inspires you.

Donella Meadows, one of the authors of the 1972 Limits to Growth report – her work on systems thinking changed the way I view the world.

Professor Lisa Scharoun – Head of School, School of Design

What does International Women’s Day mean to you?

When I was born, women earned 62% of what men earned. 45% of women finished high school and amongst those only 17% went on to get a bachelor degree and higher (US Bureau of Labour Statistics). My mother and grandmother are both teachers and working mothers – strong-willed and determined women who fought to retain their careers whilst juggling children and household duties. Exhausted but still standing at the end of long days caring for students and then their own children – they represent the 17%. My mother always told me “there is nothing we women can’t do” and I wholeheartedly believe this. So on the back of the groundbreaking 17% I grew up with a determination to change those statistics. It is very difficult to juggle a senior leadership role with parenting; especially as I have a child with special needs, however it’s all worth it to pave the way for the next generation of strong-willed, determined and hardworking young women. IWD is a wonderful celebration of the solidarity of women and our ability to overcome the many historic barriers to success that face women.

What does it mean to be a woman in the Higher Education / Design sector?

I am the first in my family to complete a Masters and subsequently a PhD. I’m incredibly grateful for having had the opportunity to be educated to this level and know how crucial this education has been in shaping and informing my world view. Therefore, to me, working in higher education is both a privilege and a duty. I believe that as academics we are duty-bound to provide our students not only with deep disciplinary knowledge but also with the problem-solving skills and conviction that will enable them to tackle the issues that previous generations have been unable to elucidate.

Tell us about a recent Research highlight / achievement.

I recently published a book ‘Cross-Cultural Design for Healthy Ageing’ (Intellect 2020). I was the lead editor and author of three chapters in this book which brought together co-authors from all over the world to discuss the ways that we can influence positive design outcomes for ageing. I was also invited to host a panel for the Ullman School of Design’s “New Normal” series late last year discussing how women in design education have led during the pandemic. This can be viewed here.

Tell us about a woman who inspires you.

A stellar teacher, mother of five, an advocate for fair work practices at her workplace – my mother is my inspiration. Without her example I would not be where I am today. In her teaching career, mother was awarded as being highly skilled in helping children learn to read. I was always encourage to read and explore the world. She taught me the power of education and how a woman’s place can be anywhere she wants it to be! The photo attached is of me as a little girl – doing what I loved best – reading 🙂

A/Professor Veronica Garcia Hansen – A/Professor in Architecture

What does International Women’s Day mean to you?

It is a day to remember the work and sacrifices done by women before us to enjoy the rights we have today. It is also a day to remember all the things that still need to be done to achieve a safe world full of opportunities for the next generation of women.

What does it mean to be a woman in the Higher Education / Design sector?

It is an honour to have the opportunity to impact the education of the next generation of Architects and designers to be catalysts for creating a healthier and more sustainable built environment. It is also a responsibility to be a voice that brings to the front concerns and needs of women in the built environment realm.

Tell us about a recent Research highlight / achievement.

My recent research highlight has been to be awarded the Johnson & Johnson Women in STEM2D award. This international funding and mentoring program by J&J will support my research on the design of circadian effective lighting systems in hospitals that facilitate both patients’ recovery and health workers’ alertness and performance.

Tell us about a woman who inspires you.

Academically, the woman that inspired me was a Professor at the university where I did my undergraduate degree in Architecture. Her name is Eliana Bormida. She is an architect and academic. Her projects have received international acclaim, and as an academic, she was the expert in Latin- American Architecture. She stands for professionalism and excellence in a world that was pretty much a men’s world. As a young undergraduate, she showed us what was possible for us. I am also inspired by the women in my family. Starting with my maternal grandmother that travelled alone from Spain to Argentina after the first world war to start a new life, my mother that worked hard to get a university education, and my sisters, who are just two of the strongest, smart, and most resilient women I know.

A/Professor Glenda Caldwell – A/Professor in Architecture

What does International Women’s Day mean to you?

International Women’s Day is a day or week that creates a space in time for all of us to reflect on the role that women play in society and to acknowledge the challenges that women encounter and success women create in their every day lives.

What does it mean to be a woman in the Higher Education / Design sector?

Being a woman in higher education means informing the next the generation of thinkers, leaders, researchers and designers to be the best version of themselves in their practice, industry, community, and society.

Tell us about a recent Research highlight / achievement.

At the end of 2020 I submitted my ARC DECRA application. This was a tough journey, not only because it was the year of COVID 19 on top of that putting together a fellowship application that is incredibly competitive requires a lot of hard work and deep thinking. I had many moments of self-doubt and internal criticism which thankfully my mentors and close colleagues helped to push me through. Although the likelihood of success in this scheme is very slim, I am proud to have submitted a proposal which caused me to grow as a researcher and that feel extended m.

Tell us about a woman who inspires you.

The woman who inspires me is made up of all the women around me including my mum, my friends, my colleagues, my students, my neighbours, and my teachers…every woman has had their own journey and their own struggles they have faced, while every one of them has extraordinary achievements and inspiring stories to tell.

A/Professor Deb Flanders Cushing – A/Professor in Architecture

What does International Women’s Day mean to you?

Is a chance to publicly acknowledge and recognise the contributions that women have made and continue to make. Although we should do this all year, sometimes setting aside one day means that we have time to reflect and celebrate together.

Tell us about a recent Research highlight / achievement.

I recently published a book with an inspiring female colleague. Not only is this something I am proud of as a tangible output, but the experience itself was extremely enjoyable and rewarding.

Tell us about a woman who inspires you.

My older sister. She is the vice president of a company in the US, works incredibly hard and is good at what she does. But she is also caring and thoughtful and is truly the “connector” in my family.

A/Prof Verena Thomas – Senior Research Fellow

What does International Women’s Day mean to you?

International Women’s Day is an important day that serves as a reminder that we are yet to achieve gender equity across the world. Personally, it is an opportunity to value and celebrate the women and men I know that advocate for gender equity and social justice, and to foreground the contributions of women in society at large.

What does it mean to be a woman in the Higher Education / Design sector?

As a woman in Higher Education, I work closely with students and colleagues towards making the world a better place. In the design sector we try to achieve this by foregrounding values of sustainability, diversity and social inclusion.

Tell us about a recent Research highlight / achievement.

My research highlight is working with women human rights defenders in Papua New Guinea who despite facing much resistance and challenges, work within their communities to defend human rights on behalf of vulnerable women. Our research supports their advocacy efforts by documenting their stories to support national policy shifts and educational strategies to address gender equity.

Tell us about a woman who inspires you.

That would be my mother, because of her strong actions to assist others in her community and her understanding of social justice for those who are in need of assistance. Mum is retired but volunteers regularly at a hospice in her community to accompany people during the last stages of their life journey.

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