Emma Fisher

Emma Fisher is a Lecturer in Communication Design at Swinburne University of Technology's School of Design and Architecture (SoDA), holding over 24 years of industry experience alongside her academic role. She completed her PhD in 2015 on practitioners’ research engagement in Australian Communication Design. Her research focuses on design education, evidence-based design, portfolio literacy, and professional practice, with a strong emphasis on bridging academic and industry needs.

Education & Experience:

• PhD, Swinburne University of Technology (2015)
• Industry Partner & Communication Designer (current)
• Program Director at postgraduate level (prior role)

Research Interests: Emma explores how design practitioners engage with research, the role of portfolios in graduate employability, and curriculum development in design education. Her work addresses challenges in translating academic research into professional practice and enhancing design students' transition to the workforce.

Awards & Grants:

• Recipient of multiple university awards including the Swinburne Vice Chancellor's Future-Focused Award (2023)
• Lead researcher on grants like the Continence Foundation of Australia audit project (2022) and Casey City Council brand development (2022)

Emma actively collaborates with industry partners and serves on professional bodies such as the Australian Graphic Design Association (AGDA) and Design Institute of Australia (DIA). She supervises PhD research on design decision-making parameters and contributes to peer-reviewed journals in design education and practice.