Kate McLean

Dr Kate McLean serves as Lecturer and programme leader for Graphic Design within the School of Architecture and Planning at the University of Kent, a position she assumed in 2021 after previously leading Canterbury Christ Church University's BA Graphic Design programme. Her internationally recognized work bridges sensory design, cartography, and olfactory heritage through innovative public engagement initiatives.

Her academic foundation spans institutions across continents:

• Boston, USA (undergraduate studies)
• University of Edinburgh (graduate work)
• Royal College of Art, London (advanced design training)

McLean pioneers human-perceived smellscapes research through international public smellwalks, transforming collected olfactory data into multisensory outputs including digital design, watercolour, animation, and scent diffusion installations. Her investigations into olfactory heritage and the spatial-temporal dimensions of smell have established new methodologies for visualizing 'eye-invisible' sensory phenomena, with applications spanning environmental design, historical reconstruction, and public health awareness.

Recent publications reveal a cohesive trajectory examining sensory pedagogy and olfactory visualization techniques, demonstrating consistent innovation in translating ephemeral smells into tangible cartographic forms. This work frequently intersects with historical scholarship and public engagement, as evidenced by her international exhibition record.

Key recognition includes:

• University Teaching Prize (2023) for exemplary curriculum integration of employability skills

As programme leader, McLean mentors students through environmental and experiential design projects ranging from signage systems to typographic shrines, while maintaining active research collaborations with museums and charitable organizations. Her advisory role extends to promoting anosmia/parosmia awareness through international partnerships.

The Sensory Maps initiative functions as her primary research collective, organizing global smellwalks and creating olfactory installations that engage public participation in sensory cartography, often in collaboration with institutions like Cooper Hewitt Design Museum and National Library of Scotland.