Heather McKinnon

Heather McKinnon is a Lecturer in the School of Design at Queensland University of Technology (QUT). Her research focuses on sustainable design, human-computer interaction (HCI), and interdisciplinary collaboration, with a particular emphasis on wearable technology, participatory design, and environmental design. She holds a PhD in Design from QUT (2018) and has contributed to numerous peer-reviewed journals and conferences, including Design Studies, Advanced Materials Technologies, and the ACM Designing Interactive Systems (DIS) conference.

Her work spans topics such as UV-sensing wearables for sun safety, collaborative approaches to resource sufficiency in households, and the integration of 3D printing in interdisciplinary projects. She also explores the intersection of design with social and ecological issues, such as aged care system advocacy through AR experiences and feminist perspectives in ecological HCI.

Her publications highlight a commitment to actionable design solutions for everyday challenges, emphasizing user agency, sustainability, and community engagement. While no specific awards are listed, her prolific output underscores her academic contributions to design research and practice.