ProfessorTuba Kocaturk
Head of School
Faculty of Science Engineering and Built Environment/School of Architecture and Built Environment
- Head of SchoolFaculty of Science Engineering and Built Environment/School of Architecture and Built Environment
- +61 3 522 73128 (Work)
- Geelong Waterfront Campus, 1 Gheringhap Street Geelong, Victoria 3220
BIO
Professor Tuba Kocaturk is a transdisciplinary design researcher, systems thinker, and global leader in intelligent and circular urban system innovation. Trained as an architect, she brings an interdisciplinary approach that bridges design, technology, and systems thinking to reimagine how we shape the built environment of tomorrow—places that are not only sustainable, but also adaptive, data-informed, and regenerative.
She is the founding director of the Mediated Intelligence in Design (MInD) Lab at Deakin University, where she leads pioneering research and cross-sector collaborations focused on integrating circular economy principles with smart, data-informed urban systems and technologies. Professor Kocaturk has extensive experience in leading cross-sector research and innovation partnerships, including transdisciplinary innovation projects in construction, health, manufacturing, creative industries, and digital technology.She is co-lead of the ‘Empowering Humans within the Metaverse’ research stream in CSIRO’s Next Generation Emerging Technologies Graduate Program, which explores the intersection of human experience, technology, and immersive environments
Her academic career spans universities across the UK, Netherlands, Turkey, and the USA—including prior appointments and fellowships at institutions such as Middle East Technical University, Delft University of Technology, Harvard Graduate School of Design, and University of Liverpool—before joining Deakin in 2018. Tuba has led and co-led numerous multi-stakeholder projects across government, industry, and academia. A former Non-Executive Director of the Geelong Manufacturing Council, she also serves as jury member of the International Seoul Design Awards, contributing to the development of a global sustainable design award program. Having secured and successfully delivered over $5M in research for government and industry, her work consistently drives strategic impact in smart and sustaianble urban system transformation and design innovation.
DEAKIN UNIVERSITY CURRENT APPOINTMENT
- Head of SchoolDeakin University, School of Architecture and Built Environment
ACADEMIC POSITIONS
- Head of SchoolDeakin University, School of Architecture & Built Environment, Geelong, Australia1 Aug 2026 - present
- Interim Head of SchoolDeakin University, School of Architecture & Built Environment, Geelong, Australia8 Apr 2026 - 1 Aug 2026
- ProfessorDeakin University, School of Architecture & Built Environment, Geelong, Australia2024 - present
- Professor of Integral DesignDeakin University, School of Architecture & Built Environment, Geelong, Australia2018 - 2024
- Reader (Associate Prof) in Digital Architecture and Design IntelligenceUniversity of Liverpool, Department of Architecture, Liverpool, United Kingdom2013 - 2018
- Senior Lecturer in Digital ArchitectureUniversity of Salford, School of the Built Environment, Salford, United Kingdom2010 - 2012
- Lecturer in Digital ArchitectureUniversity of Salford, School of the Built Environment, Salford, United Kingdom2006 - 2010
- Researcher/PhD FellowDelft University of Technology, Faculty of Architecture, Department of Building Technology, Delft, Netherlands2001 - 2006
- Visiting Research FellowHarvard University, Graduate School of Design, Centre for Design Informatics, Cambridge/Boston, United States2003 - 2003
- Research AssistantMiddle East Technical University, Faculty of Architecture, Department of Architecture, Ankara, Turkey1997 - 2001
NON-ACADEMIC POSITIONS
- ArchitectTeget Architecture, Ankara, Turkey1998 - 2001
- Design ConsultantProta Computer & Design Engineering Ltd. Turkey, Ankara, Turkey2000 - 2001
- Free-Lance Architecture/Design ConsultantSelf-employed, Turkey1996 - 1998
- Intern ArchitectA-Mimarlik, Ankara, Turkey1994 - 1995
DEGREES
- PhD in Architecture & Building TechnologyDelft University of Technology, Delft, Netherlands2002 - 2006
- Master of Science (MSc)Middle East Technical University, Ankara, Turkey1996 - 1999
- Bachelor of ArchitectureMiddle East Technical University, Ankara, Turkey1992 - 1996
CERTIFICATIONS
- Executive Leadership ProgramOxford University2023 - 2023Effective business leadership and how to adapt the theory into practical changes
- Leadership on Circular Economy and the 2030 AgendaUnited Nations System Staff College, Knowledge Centre for Sustainable Development2023 - 2023A six-week course for leaders to help accelerate the transition towards circular systems by applying circular economy principles in policymaking, production and consumption practices, businesses and cities.
- CIRCO Accredited trainerCIRCO NL & Planet Art (ACE Hub)2024 - 2024Accredited Trainer to deliver CIRCO Circular Business and Design Strategies training
FIELDS OF RESEARCH
- Architecture
- Design
- Sustainable design
- Interaction and experience design
- Urban design
- Information modelling, management and ontologies
- Built environment and design
- Data visualisation and computational (incl. parametric and generative) design
AVAILABILITY FOR SUPERVISION
- Masters by Research and PhD supervision
AREA/FACULTY
- Faculty of Science Engineering and Built Environment
DEPARTMENT/SCHOOL/INSTITUTE/DISCIPLINE
- School of Architecture and Built Environment