Research at RMIT School of Design leverages creative critical practice to explore futures that are diverse, sustainable, equitable and inspiring. Our world class* group of researchers traverse the disciplines of communication, industrial and digital design to engage pressing contemporary challenges in urban futures, social innovation, information systems, material cultures and health. These interdisciplinary research areas share values that emphasise social justice, thoughtful design action and a critical engagement with place and culture.
* ranked 5 ★, 1st in Southern Hemisphere and 19th in the world for Art and Design (World University Rankings 2023)
Our preferred mode of research inquiry is through collaboration with external research partners and end users. We undertake collaborative projects that range in scale from studios, where students and industry partners engage in speculative design prototyping, to Australian Research Council funded projects, national Collaborative Research Centres and global partnerships. Based in Melbourne Australia, we operate internationally through RMIT locations in Vietnam and Spain as well as through wider networks within Asia, Europe and North America.
The School of Design is pleased to announce that the highly anticipated Centre of Digital Environments will be launching soon in 2023. The School is also host to three Research Groups: Design and Sonic Practice, Designing Social Innovation, and Hybrid Futures.
The Fight Food Waste Cooperative Research Centre aims to improve the competitiveness, productivity and sustainability of Australian industries.
The Care-full Design Lab looks at the care-full transformational power of design in health and wellbeing, future-making, and the co-creation of inclusive, sustainable, and playful cities.
Designing Social Innovation in Asia-Pacific (DESIAP) is a platform, network and a community of practice for various practitioners, communities and professionals working in the Social Innovation space in this region.
The Future Play Lab works with local government and industry partners connecting speculative design, creative placemaking, extended realities and urban play to explore new ways of being in the world.
The Spatial Information Architecture Laboratory (SIAL) Sound Studios are devoted to auditory-based research, teaching and practice.
RMIT School of Design has an internationally-renowned higher degree by research (HDR) program supporting research by practice and thesis across the research areas of the School. Our leadership in creative practice research undertaken through practice-led and project-based approaches supports reflective, generative and applied practice. Thesis based research supports enquiry though philosophical, historical, experimental and field studies. HDR activity is central to the intellectual life of the School of Design. HDR scholars work in close collaboration with their supervisory team, the HDR cohort and the research groups as a rich community of colleagues throughout the School and University. Many HDR scholars collaborate with industry partners and diverse communities in Melbourne and internationally, in pursuit of new knowledge and ways of creating change through design research.
School of Design HDR candidates present their research publicly, including for final examination, in the Practice Research Symposium (PRS). For information regarding past and current HDR candidate research areas and supervisor interests, please see the PRS portal.
Image credit: Distabling: acts of emergent design research, PRS installation, May-June 2023.
The School offers both PhD and Masters by Research programs to support candidates at different stages of their research career.
Prospective HDR applicants should review the School’s Guidelines for Prospective Applicants, the RMIT Find a Project page, and How to apply for research programs.
School of Design Higher Degrees by Research: Coordinator, Assoc Prof James Oliver (j.oliver@rmit.edu.au).
Board game confronts the ‘ickiness’ of gut health
Researchers are using the play-based approach of board games to improve our understanding of gastrointestinal health.
Redefining practice-based research in Europe
RMIT’s game-changing PhD program that’s shifting the concept of industry embedded research in Europe recently returned to Barcelona for its biannual Practice Research Symposium Europe (PRS Europe).
Australia’s only First Nations led agency dedicated to representing First Nations illustrators and artists has been created by two RMIT academics.
Arcade games take the controls on South Melbourne’s post-COVID plan
Classic arcade games have been reimagined along Clarendon Street in South Melbourne as part of an urban activation project between RMIT’s Future Play Lab and the City of Port Phillip.
Board game confronts the ‘ickiness’ of gut health
Researchers are using the play-based approach of board games to improve our understanding of gastrointestinal health.
Redefining practice-based research in Europe
RMIT’s game-changing PhD program that’s shifting the concept of industry embedded research in Europe recently returned to Barcelona for its biannual Practice Research Symposium Europe (PRS Europe).
Australia’s only First Nations led agency dedicated to representing First Nations illustrators and artists has been created by two RMIT academics.
Arcade games take the controls on South Melbourne’s post-COVID plan
Classic arcade games have been reimagined along Clarendon Street in South Melbourne as part of an urban activation project between RMIT’s Future Play Lab and the City of Port Phillip.
Acknowledgement of Country
RMIT University acknowledges the people of the Woi wurrung and Boon wurrung language groups of the eastern Kulin Nation on whose unceded lands we conduct the business of the University. RMIT University respectfully acknowledges their Ancestors and Elders, past and present. RMIT also acknowledges the Traditional Custodians and their Ancestors of the lands and waters across Australia where we conduct our business - Artwork 'Luwaytini' by Mark Cleaver, Palawa.
Acknowledgement of Country
RMIT University acknowledges the people of the Woi wurrung and Boon wurrung language groups of the eastern Kulin Nation on whose unceded lands we conduct the business of the University. RMIT University respectfully acknowledges their Ancestors and Elders, past and present. RMIT also acknowledges the Traditional Custodians and their Ancestors of the lands and waters across Australia where we conduct our business.
