Gareth Barham

Gareth Barham serves as a Principal Lecturer at Cardiff School of Art and Design, Cardiff Metropolitan University. With qualifications including MSc, SFHEA, MCSD, and BA, he brings extensive industry experience to his academic role, having worked as a product designer and Product Development Manager before joining the university in 1999.

His research focuses on Consumer Culture Theory, particularly exploring how to introduce ethical consumerism to wider audiences. His work bridges academic theory and practical application through Welsh Government funded SMART Partnerships and Innovate UK Knowledge Transfer Partnerships. Barham teaches market-led product development and Design for Manufacturing and Assembly across BA, BSc, and MSc Product Design programs, as well as Consumer Culture Theory through an anti-consumerist lens.

His recent publications demonstrate expertise in global design markets and international product development strategies. His research output shows a consistent focus on practical applications of design theory with real-world market implications.

• Best New Product at Business and Education Awards (2016)
• Three awards for garden furniture products at GLEE trade show (2020)
• Senior Fellow of the Higher Education Academy

Barham actively collaborates with industry through commercial workshops and student projects. He has served as an external examiner for product design programs at Manchester Metropolitan University and University of the West of England. Internationally, he has been a guest lecturer at prestigious institutions including Samsung Institute of Art and Design in South Korea and Malaysian Art Institute in Kuala Lumpur.