My work as a design producer brings me into contact with universities, and government agencies, that are looking to modernise their design policy. I help them develop curriculums, build support services, and set up new institutions. Here are some examples:
Royal College of Art
As Director of Research at this postgraduate institution for art and design, I developed a new policy guiding collaborative research projects undertaken by the university with industry. 1988-1992.
Glasgow Development Agency
I led the concept development for a new design and media centre in Glasgow, in a partneship with Stanton Williams Architects, and Adrian Ellis Associates. 1990
Telescope, Japan
Concept and feasibility study for a new design centre in Osaka. 1990
European Commission
I was responsible for vision building in Convivio – the European network for social computing. Convivio’s members Xerox, King's College London, Philips, Deutsche Forschunhzentrum fur Kuenstliche Intelligenz, Fraunhofer-Gesellschaft, Consorzio Roma Ricerche.
http://www.convivionet.net/ 2003-2004
Hong Kong Design Task Force
I was the expert advisor to the Hong Kong Design Task Force, chaired by Victor Lo. My contribution was to scope the world for best-practices and competition in the field of design and innovation; identify stakeholders and explore, with them, their approaches to innovation; write job descriptions and people profiles. Hong Kong later launched the DesignSmart initiative with the creation of a HK$250million (25 million euros) fund. 2003
Interaction Design Institute, Ivrea, Italy
I was on the start-up Steering Committee of this new research institute, funded by Telecom Italia and Olivetti, that, led by Director Gillian Crampton Smith, designs the new ways people will communicate with each other using information technologies. Prestinenza called Interaction Ivrea “a model for the moribund Italian educational system”. http://www.interaction-ivrea.it/en/news/press/review. 2000-2003
Virtual Platform, The Netherlands
I am a member of this advisory group to Dutch government on new media cultural policy. http://www.virtueelplatform.nl/ 1998-
One North East, Newcastle-upon-Tyne, United Kingdom
I am in a consortium, Spirit of Creation, that is developing the specification and blueprint of Design and Innovation Research Centre (DIEC). My contribution has been to help develop and articulate the institute’s basic concept and organisational form; define and articulate the roles of, and benefits to, potential industry sponsors; write job and person profiles for professors, researchers and students. 2003-