Friedemann Schaber

Dr Friedemann Schaber is a Senior Lecturer in Product Design at the University of Northampton’s School of Art and Design, with a PhD from the Royal College of Art and scholarship at Kyoto Institute of Technology. His work bridges industrial design, sustainable materials, and cross-disciplinary education through projects like Knowledge Transfer Partnerships (KTP), live client collaborations, and community engagement.

• Education: PhD in Vehicle Design (Royal College of Art), scholarship at Kyoto Institute of Technology
• Expertise: Design management, biocomposite materials, circular economy applications
• UN SDG Contributions: Quality Education, Sustainable Cities & Communities, Responsible Consumption & Production

Research Focus:
Analyses of knowledge transfer mechanisms in global toy/gift markets, development of collagenic fibers and chromium-free leather, and integration of social innovation into design education. His projects have generated £840,000 for the university and influenced UK education policy.

Teaching Philosophy:
Challenges students to balance functionality, aesthetics, and ethics through community projects like:

• 78 Derngate preservation trust collaboration
• Northampton Racecourse environmental design
• Delapre Abbey visitor center project

External Roles:
External Examiner at Istituto Marangoni (2024-2027), Member of UKRI Interdisciplinary Centre for Circular Chemical Economy (2022-2024).