Hilary Grierson

Hilary Grierson is a Principal Teaching Fellow in the Department of Design, Manufacture and Engineering Management (DMEM) at the University of Strathclyde, Faculty of Engineering. She has been a key academic in DMEM since joining in 2007, where she teaches Product Design and leads undergraduate individual projects. She is responsible for Teaching and Learning Enhancements, driving initiatives in online feedback, assessment, and CPD.

• University: University of Strathclyde
• School: Faculty of Engineering
• Department: Department of Design, Manufacture and Engineering Management
• Academic Rank: Principal Teaching Fellow

Hilary Grierson holds a PhD in Design Education, an MSc in Computer-Aided Building Design, and a Bachelor of Architecture, all from the University of Strathclyde, with additional studies at Harvard University’s Graduate School of Design. She was a registered architect with over 12 years of practice before moving into academia.

Her research focuses on distributed working, distributed information management, and global design education. She has led major projects such as the JISC/NSF-funded DIDET project with Stanford University and the EPSRC-funded DaISy project on secure data visualization for defense. Her teaching interests include creative design methods, sustainable product design, and digital collaboration tools. She has organized key events such as the CPD Circular Economy Conference featuring Dame Ellen McArthur.

The recent publications reflect a strong trend in digital design education, AI in design, and online collaboration tools. Themes include distributed ideation, computer-supported collaborative design, and the use of social networks in student teamwork. The work bridges engineering, education, and human-computer interaction, with increasing focus on sustainability and digital transformation in design pedagogy.

She has received multiple teaching awards, including several Teaching Excellence Awards (2013–2018) and the Institute of Engineering Designers Group Prize (2011). Other recognitions include Best Departmental and Research Presentation awards in 2006 and 2008.

• Teaching Excellence Award, 2018
• Shortlisted for Best in Faculty, 2017
• Teaching Excellence Award, 2016
• Teaching Excellence Award, 2014
• USSA Teaching Excellence Award, 2013
• Institute of Engineering Designers Group Prize, 2011
• Best Departmental Presentation, 2006
• Best Research Presentation in Design Theme, 2008

Hilary has supervised doctoral and master’s students, including Ross Brisco, and has been a co-investigator on multiple funded projects such as the Doctoral Training Partnership and EPSRC grants. She has led innovation vouchers and enterprise fellowships, supporting student startups and SMEs. She actively organizes major conferences like E&PDE and DESIGN 2024, and serves as a peer reviewer for journals including The Journal of Engineering Design.

She is a member of the Design Research Group at Strathclyde and has collaborated internationally, particularly with Stanford University. Her work contributes to UN Sustainable Development Goals, especially in Education and Sustainable Development.