معرفی
Dr. Leila Sheldrick is an Associate Professor at Imperial College London's Dyson School of Design Engineering, within the Faculty of Engineering. She leads the Strategic Futures Design Lab and holds affiliations with the Grantham Institute and the Human Behaviour and Experience Network. Her work bridges design, engineering, and futures thinking to drive sustainable and equitable innovation. Leila’s research focuses on circular economy strategies, strategic foresight, and systems-aware design processes, emphasizing collaboration with industry and academia to address global challenges.
She co-founded the Dyson School and developed eleven academic modules, including co-leading the Global Innovation Design (GID) MSc program with international partners like the Royal College of Art and Tsinghua University. Over 150 graduates from this program have become global design leaders. Her educational contributions include shaping cross-disciplinary PhD projects in sustainable manufacturing, intergenerational futures, and design for wellbeing.
Leila’s research explores tools for long-term thinking in innovation teams, including scenario planning and consumer intervention mapping. Her recent work spans waste valorization (e.g., thermal insulation from feathers) and youth engagement in sustainability transitions. She collaborates with firms like Atkins and Rio Tinto on projects ranging from energy transitions to systems innovation.
Her articles highlight trends in sustainable materials, digital customization, and futures-oriented design methods. Key themes include overcoming barriers to circular economies, optimizing sound absorption materials from bio-wastes, and addressing consumer choice in customization.
Leila’s advisory work bridges research and industry, advocating for future-literate practices. She emphasizes building bridges between academia, industry, and education to foster responsible innovation.
