Cara Wrigley

Professor Cara Wrigley is a leading academic in design innovation, currently holding the position of Professor in Design at the School of Architecture, Design and Planning within The University of Queensland's Faculty of Engineering, Architecture and Information Technology. Previously, she served as the Jericho Chair of Design Innovation at The University of Sydney, fostering collaborations between the Australian Defence Force and academia to develop disruptive military technologies. She has pioneered 'military design thinking'—a framework now widely taught across the ADF—and established key research groups including the Defence by Design Group and Design Innovation Research Group.

Her qualifications include a Doctor of Philosophy from Queensland University of Technology. Research interests span design innovation methodologies, emotional design applications, and interdisciplinary collaboration strategies. She has secured over $60M in competitive grants from industry and government partners such as Brisbane Airport Corporation, Suncorp Insurance Australia, and the Royal Australian Air Force. As Editor-in-Chief of Design Studies, she influences global design research discourse.

Professor Wrigley has developed impactful educational programs including a Massive Open Online Course (MOOC) on Design Innovation (2018) and the Master of Design Innovation and Strategic Design. Her work emphasizes bridging design theory with practical implementation in healthcare, defense, and energy sectors. Recent projects include enhancing patient experiences with mechanical circulatory support devices and advancing renewable energy transition strategies.

• Awards: Recipient of the Australian Good Design Awards for her contribution to design-driven solutions.
• Grants: Active Chief Investigator on ARC Discovery/Linkage projects and the Medical Research Future Fund.
• Labs/Teams: Leads Defence by Design Group and collaborates with Australian Defence College on learning initiatives.

Her research bridges design with complex domains like military strategy and healthcare innovation, focusing on emotional engagement, organizational transformation, and sustainable systems. She advises executives and institutions on leveraging design as a strategic tool, with a commitment to fostering interdisciplinary expertise through collaborative frameworks and pedagogical innovation.