Research at RMIT School of Design leverages reflexive and critical creative practice to explore design’s capacity to co-create futures that are regenerative, equitable and inspiring. Our world class* researchers work from bases in communication, industrial and digital design, widely defined, to engage pressing contemporary challenges in areas including urban futures, access and equity, information systems, environmental justice and health and wellbeing. Our research stems from shared values that emphasise equity, thoughtful design action, responsible practice and a critical engagement with place and culture.
* ranked 5 ★, 1st in Southern Hemisphere and 18th in the world for Art and Design (QS 2024)
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.
RMIT School of Design is home to CODE, the Centre of Digital Ecosystems. The School also hosts two Research Groups – Design and Sonic Practice and Designing Social Innovation – as well as multiple labs.
The Fight Food Waste Cooperative Research Centre aims to improve the competitiveness, productivity and sustainability of Australian industries.
CODE designs complex simulations and precision interactions in the service of natural, cultural and social ecosystems
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 'Sentient' by Hollie Johnson, Gunaikurnai and Monero Ngarigo.
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.
