Ilaria Vanni Accarigi

Associate Professor Ilaria Vanni Accarigi is an academic in the School of International Studies and Education at the University of Technology Sydney (UTS). Her research focuses on urban ecologies, climate change, and design studies, particularly exploring how design can address socio-environmental challenges through place-based methodologies. She leads projects like 'Water Stories' (funded by ARC DP240101955) and 'Neighbourhood Ecologies,' examining urban water systems and community environmental practices. Co-founder of the Mapping Edges Research Studio, she advocates for transdisciplinary approaches to connect urban residents with local ecologies.

Education: PhD (University of New South Wales, 2000), MA and BA (Università degli Studi di Siena, Italy). She holds a Permaculture Design Certificate (Milkwood Permaculture, 2014). Academic roles include HDR Director (Acting) and Coordinator, Italy Major Coordinator, and Research Coordinator.

Research highlights include her book *Precarious Objects: Activism and Design in Italy* and over 75 publications. Awards include UTS Research Excellence Award (2022), ACGR Supervision Commendation (2022), and UTS Teaching Citations (2023, 2016). She supervises PhD/Master’s students on themes of urban ecology, design activism, and Indigenous higher education.

Her work integrates creative practices, ethnography, and visual methods to amplify community-driven environmental action. Current teaching interests include transcultural engagement and internationalization. Key collaborations involve Climate, Society & Environment Research Centre (C-SERC) and the Creative Practice Research Group.