Philip Ely

Dr. Philip Ely is a Senior Lecturer in Innovation & Entrepreneurship at Curtin University's School of Management and Marketing within the Faculty of Business and Law. He holds adjunct roles in research and has extensive industry experience across design agencies, media, and education. His academic credentials include a PhD from the University of Surrey and professional Fellowships with the Royal Society for the Arts (RSA) and the Higher Education Academy (FHEA).

Ely's research focuses on design-led innovation, speculative design, and the socio-economic impact of design in Western Australia. He leads the State of Design research network and co-founded an impact-evaluation tool spin-out company. Notable projects include the Climate Domesday Book exhibition and the Social Startup Toolkit, recognized with Enterprise Nation awards and D&AD accolades.

His teaching spans creativity, innovation, and ethical design across undergraduate and postgraduate programs. He supervises PhD candidates exploring topics like public sector innovation, cultural heritage design, and spatial material engagement. Ely's work bridges academia and practice, emphasizing design's role in addressing global challenges like healthcare, climate, and workplace crises.