Doreen Donovan

Dr Doreen Donovan is a communication designer, researcher, and educator serving as Program Director for the Bachelor of Creative Arts (Honours) at UniSA Creative. With 28 years in the creative industry and 18 years in academia, her work bridges design, education, and sustainability. She holds a practice-based PhD and is an Early Career Researcher at the University of South Australia.

Education:

• PhD in Communication Design (Practice-Based)

Research Interests: Donovan focuses on sustainability, mental health promotion, and participatory design with marginalized communities. She employs co-design and action research methodologies, collaborating with children and rural groups. Her work emphasizes creative solutions for social advocacy and environmental challenges.

Recent Article Trends: Her publications address interdisciplinary mental health interventions, youth engagement in sustainable consumption, and design activism. Key themes include co-design for health literacy, visual narratives for education, and corporate vs. independent design practices.

Awards:

• Shortlisted for AIAP Women in Design Award (2019)

Teaching & Collaboration: Supervises research degrees and teaches across design programs. Collaborates with Flinders University on mental health projects and engages with schools for youth-centered sustainability initiatives. Part of the National Enterprise for Rural Community Wellbeing.

Creative Works: Produced visual narratives with children (e.g., stop-motion animations, picture books) and interactive artifacts to critique consumption practices. Exhibited internationally, including the Mexican Museum of Design and Florence’s AIAP exhibition.