Ehsan Baha

Ehsan Baha is an Associate Professor at the École de design, Université de Montréal, and a doctoral candidate/researcher at the Delft University of Technology. His academic career spans institutions like TU Delft’s Faculty of Industrial Design Engineering and Éindhoven University of Technology. He specializes in Design-Driven Innovation, Designer Identity, and Decolonizing Design, emphasizing the role of authenticity in shaping designers’ roles. Baha’s research integrates pedagogy, design theory, and practice, with projects addressing societal challenges through collaborative networks and systemic design.

Education: BSc in Interaction Design (2006), MSc in Strategic Design (2010) from TU Eindhoven. Current affiliations include Hybridlab (design research lab) and advisory roles at MITACS, SSHRC, and the Design Research Society.

Research focuses on designer identity development, decolonizing design practices, and bridging theory/practice gaps. Notable works include studies on mitigating innovation adoption barriers, expertise profiling in design education, and the symbiosis of Human-Centered Design with radical innovation. Awards include Best Paper at DRS 2018 and ITEA Golden Achievement 2007.

Advising: Actively mentors master’s/PhD students exploring designer identity and systemic design. Collaborations span industries like automotive, healthcare, and aging populations. His work advocates for pluralism in design education and practice, challenging North-South divides in global design discourse.

Labs/Teams: Hybridlab (design research) and Meaningwise (design consultancy). Engaged in initiatives like the European Bauhaus and Global Design Anthropology networks.