Reside Oya Demirbilek

Professor Reside Oya Demirbilek is a leading academic in Industrial Design at the University of New South Wales (UNSW), with a focus on inclusive and participatory design, particularly for aging populations. She has held significant leadership roles, including Associate Dean of Education (2013-17) and Discipline Director of Industrial Design (2006-09). Her work combines empathy, product semantics, and co-design methodologies to create accessible solutions.

• PhD in Interior Architecture & Environmental Design (Bilkent University)
• PhD in Product Design (Marmara University)
• Master of Science in Building Sciences (Middle East Technical University, METU)
• Bachelor of Industrial Design (METU)

Her research emphasizes user-driven innovation, evidence-based design, and emotional well-being in product development. She has collaborated with industry leaders like Breville and Caroma Industries, securing substantial grants for projects such as Livable Bathrooms for Older People (ARC Linkage Grant, $446,000) and Digital Fabrication for Prototyping (UNSW Major Research Equipment Grant, $443,929). Her supervision spans 12 PhD/Master’s students, including ongoing projects like Friction with New Technologies (Jie Meng) and completed works on e-waste lifespan and home modifications.

Scientific awards highlight her creative achievements, including the 2012 Cite International des Arts residency in Paris and the 2000 Young Designer of the Year Award. She pioneered UNSW’s first Built Environment MOOC, Re-Enchanting the City, which enrolled 9,169 participants globally and became a top-ranked urban design course in 2017.

• Advocate for inclusive multispecies design and sustainable consumption
• Lecturer on human factors, design research methods, and MOOC development