Design education
Recent shifts in higher education towards research-based teaching mean that new reflective methods for evaluating the effectiveness of teaching are needed – including modes of evaluation that can capture the holistic nature of education.
We research issues related to teaching and learning within creative and design disciplines, focusing on pedagogy, curriculum, student engagement, and learning theories. We are working to improve measures, such as learning outcomes, student satisfaction and employability.
Our research is providing new perspectives and data for those teaching in creative fields at the higher education level. The main target is educators, but some of the work is targeted toward design professionals or students.
Our research covers
- studio pedagogy
- work-based learning
- experiential learning
- live projects
- professional development
- student experience
- creativity
- feedback and assessment
Research varies between quantitative and qualitative methods, including narrative, graphic, as well as more conventional educational research methods, such as focus groups, interviews, and questionnaires.
Through the Department of Curriculum Quality and Enhancement, and the Higher Education Forum, we provide access to a network of interdisciplinary researchers from across the University community.
Projects
Recent full-length books include Narratives of Architectural Education and Retail Design. More than a dozen recent journal articles and practitioner booklets tend to derive from practice-based or action research projects.
Coverage
Recent coverage of our work and research includes:
- Association of Architectural Educators Conference
- Interior Educators Journal
- Association of Higher Education Journal
- Higher Education Advances Conference
Funding
Recent funders include the University of Portsmouth’s Teaching and Learning Innovation Fund.
Discover our areas of expertise
Design education is one of our 8 areas of research expertise in Architecture, Interiors and Urbanism – explore the other 7 below.
Research groups
Interested in a PhD in Architecture, Interiors & Urbanism?
Browse our postgraduate research degrees – including PhDs and MPhils – at our Architecture, Interiors & Urbanism postgraduate research degrees page.