Sarah Teasley

Professor Sarah Teasley is the Associate Dean for Research and Innovation in the School of Design at RMIT University. Previously, she held roles as Reader in Design History and Head of Programme for History of Design at the Royal College of Art, collaborating with the Victoria and Albert Museum. She teaches on the Masters in Design Innovation and Technology (MDIT) and supervises PhD candidates in design research.

Education:
Sarah Teasley holds degrees from three prestigious institutions: Princeton University, Musashino Art University, and the University of Tokyo. These foundational studies in design history and related disciplines underpin her interdisciplinary work.

Research Interests: Her research bridges social history and design innovation, focusing on how gender, class, and culture shape access to technologies and creative decision-making. Key areas include:
- Emergent technologies in everyday work environments
- Design historiography in modern Japan, emphasizing craft and manufacturing policies
- Transdisciplinary collaboration to address social and environmental challenges
- GLAM sector partnerships for preserving digital cultural heritage
- Reimagining repair practices through Fibers of Existence with the Max Planck Institute

Grants & Supervision: She leads the ARC-funded AusEaaSI and Australian Emulation Network. With 14 PhD completions, her supervision emphasizes Asia-Pacific contexts and practice-based research. Grants include support from the Australian Research Council, Arts and Humanities Research Council (UK), and the British Academy.

Labs & Collaborations: Active in the Design Entangling Social Innovation in Asia-Pacific (DESIAP) initiative and collaborates with global institutions like the Max Planck Institute. Her work promotes decolonial and equitable approaches to design history and multidisciplinary research.