About
Johan Redström is a Professor of Design at the Umeå Institute of Design (UID), part of Umeå University. He has led UID's PhD program and research strategy since 2012 and served as its Rector from 2015 to 2018. His academic journey spans philosophy, electronic music, and design, with a PhD in philosophy and a focus on design research since 2001. Current roles include adjunct professorships at the University of Borås and the Royal Academy of Fine Arts.
Research interests center on experimental design practices, sustainable development, and critical theory. He explores how design can address post-industrial challenges through prototyping new practices, questioning foundational concepts like 'form' in dynamic processes. Major projects include the UmArts Art & AI initiative (2023-2028) and 'Designing Democratic Digital Futures,' focusing on algorithmic accountability and contestation.
Teaching emphasizes PhD-level design research, including courses on research methodologies, philosophy of design, and design history. He currently supervises 8 PhD students. Notable research outputs include 2024 publications on more-than-human design, AI ethics, and decolonial design frameworks. His work bridges theory and practice, advocating for socially engaged and ethically mindful design.
Key contributions include rethinking 'Terms of Service' through design interventions and exploring hauntology in AI systems. UID's interdisciplinary environment supports his mission to advance design as a critical and transformative discipline.
