Jill Franz

Professor Jill Franz is a leading academic at Queensland University of Technology (QUT), specializing in design disciplines with a focus on health, aging, disability, and educational environments. She holds a PhD in Design from QUT, alongside advanced degrees in Education and Built Environment. Her research integrates design theory, universal design principles, and qualitative methodologies to address inclusive environments and wellbeing.

Key affiliations include the Centre for Inclusive Education (C4IE), where she contributes to interdisciplinary research on inclusive design and wellbeing. Her work spans pedagogical innovations in design education, procurement strategies for educational facilities, and the impact of spatial design on student and community wellbeing.

Research interests emphasize design psychology, phenomenological studies, and action research. She has supervised numerous doctoral and master’s students on topics like design thinking pedagogy, aging-friendly housing, and inclusive urban spaces. Her projects often involve collaboration with industry and community stakeholders to bridge theory and practice.

Publications highlight her contributions to vertical school design, salutogenic approaches to education, and cross-cultural implementation of inclusive design. Her work underscores the interplay between environmental design, equity, and human flourishing across diverse contexts.