ProfessorMeghan Kelly

Senior Lecturer Visual Communication Design

Meghan's research examines the diverse ways identity and representation can be created through design, with an aim of probing how to empower people with self-determining their own visual representation. There are many areas of negotiation in the process and Meghan's research examines ways to ensure ethical, appropriate and measurable ways to guarantee communities are protected and supported through codesign processes. Although in some instances this occurs in structured environments, Meghan's research examines the design process of transforming intangible knowledge into tangible design outcomes in all sectors of the design industry and through all levels of education. This work has been recognized internationally and nationally in mainstream media, social media and through significant industry awards.

Meghan is currently completing a book titled Codesign: People, Participation and Practices co-authored with Professor Simone Taffe is working on a book examining Women in Design Practices co-authored with Associate Professor Veronika Kelly. Together with Dr Russell Kennedy, Meghan co-author the Australian Indigenous Design Charter, winner of the Good Design Award (Indigenous Design) 2018 and the International
Indigenous Design Charter (winner of the Premier Design Award (Design Strategy) and Premier Design Award of the Year 2018. This research continues to be realised through industry analysis of designers working with the Charter to create ethical, collaborative design outcomes when working with Indigenous knowledges.

In addition, Meghan co-authored with Dr Jonathan Sweet the book Museum Development and Cultural Representation: Developing the Kelabit Highlands Community Museum (2018). This research interrogated the five-year process of creating a community museum in the Highlands of Borneo and the challenges of developing a visual representation from intangible and verbal cultural heritage. The research examines the self-determination of the Kelabit community to identify and navigate their outgoing representation their way and to suit the community's needs.