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Who Is.. Dr Nick Spencer

Dr Nick Spencer, Co-Investigator

Nick Spencer is Associate Professor of Design Innovation and Head of the Industrial Design Subject in the School of Design at Northumbria University. His research is interested in the application of design to navigate contested futures within complex social and organisational situations contributing to our understanding of Design for Social Innovation. Spencer leads a network of researchers and practitioners as part of the COST Action (CA18236) investigating design approaches to Social Innovation and Social Entrepreneurship and leads the DESIS Lab at Northumbria part of the international network Design for Social Innovation towards Sustainability. He has also helped to establish new practices that support the creative exploration of innovation readiness in small to medium sized businesses and is regularly consulted to support larger organisations to develop the structures, cultures and practices that enable inclusive approaches to design-led strategic change.


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Find out more about our research, staff and collaborations that takes place in the School of Design on our dedicated Design Research website. 

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Postgraduate Research Degrees

We have a vibrant postgraduate research community with over 60 PhD students working in issues related to design methods, theory and practice across all our areas of design expertise. Find out about what we can offer. 

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Postgraduate Taught Research

Our MRes in Design offers an opportunity to carry out original, in-depth design research, aimed at equipping students for further academic study at doctoral level or to work as a researcher in related industries.

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GFW2024 winner Abbie Inwood
Fashion Design and Marketing student Abbie Inwood

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