Aidan Rowe, PhD, MRes, PGCE, MA, BFA,

Area of Study / Keywords

Critical Design Design Futures Health Design Human Design Education Participatory Design Curatorial Practice

About

Areas of Teaching and Research

Critical Design, Design Futures, Health Design, Human, Design Education, Participatory Design, Curatorial Practice

Biography

MA, Hypermedia Arts, University of Westminster, UK, 2001
PGCE in Higher Education, Open University, UK, 2003
Master of Research (MRes), Goldsmiths College, University of London, 2007
PhD, Design Pedagogy, Educational Policy Studies, University of Alberta, 2024

Professor Rowe has over 25 years of experience in interdisciplinary, community-based and co-design research projects in design and related fields. He holds degrees from the University of Alberta, University of Westminster and Goldsmiths College, University of London. As the Chair of the Department of Art & Design Dean in the Faculty of Arts he has worked to integrate design pedagogic practices throughout the curriculum to enrich learning opportunities for students. As an Associate Professor in Design Studies his research, curatorial and practice interests are in design, health and education.

Research

Recent work explores the application of design methods and processes to public health and involves the development of curriculum for medicine and health students including the interdisciplinary course Co-Designing Health: Advanced Interprofessional Team Practice which brings together students from a range of health disciplines (medicine, nursing, physiotherapy, etc.) to work together developing interprofessional skills through a design framework. Recent research explores the possibilities and opportunities of employing design thinking, methods and processes to enact difference for a 21st-century healthcare system. A recent article, Frameworks for Design Education: Participatory Action Research and Design Pedagogy, articulates a framework for utilizing a participatory co-design approach in design education. A current project in development with the Government of Alberta explores how design processes can be applied to address issues around systemic design in community health settings.

He has co-curated and co-designed two major exhibitions at the intersection of design, medicine, health sciences, arts, humanities and social sciences. The InSight: Visualizing Health Humanities exhibition (2012) showcased the work of students, faculty, staff and alumni from universities and institutions worldwide. In 2013 this research was expanded with the exhibition InSight 2: Engaging the Health Humanities that further identified the possibilities of collaboration between design and the health humanities. The exhibition was supported and extended through a symposium and publication, and featured projects and writing from an international cohort.

Teaching

Professor Rowe has taught across all levels of higher education in design (and beyond) and is an award winning instructor. Recent pedagogic work explores the application of design methods and processes to public health and involves the development of curriculum for medicine and health students. 

DES 483 - Seminar on Design Issues

Contemporary design concerns in the fields of theory, criticism, history, professional practice and social issues. Restricted to third-year Bachelor of Design students. Prerequisites: HADVC 209 or consent of the Department.

DES 586 - Design Practicum I

Design internship in design offices, industry, museums and other appropriate professional hosts and venues, bridging formal education and professional practice. Prerequisite: consent of the Department.

DES 683 - Seminar on Contemporary Design Issues

Issues in the fields of theory, criticism, history, professional practice and social concerns. Restricted to Master of Design students. Prerequisite: Consent of Department.

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