Mark Sawyer

Dr. Mark Sawyer is a Lecturer in Architecture and Design at the School of Architecture and Design, University of Tasmania. He is co-lead of the Mediated Constructions Research Lab and serves as Lead GRC and convenor of the Platform research forum. His work bridges architecture, media, and digital culture, with a focus on how digital platforms reshape architectural perception and practice.

His research interests include:

• Architectural history, theory, and criticism
• Mediatisation of place
• Architecture and social media
• Tourism and the digital gaze
• Archival and curatorial practices in architecture
• Design research methodologies

His recent publications analyze the role of Instagram, Yelp, and other platforms in shaping architectural discourse and urban experience. He frequently collaborates with international scholars and interdisciplinary teams, situating Tasmanian architecture within global debates. His work combines socio-material research, media theory, and design-based inquiry.

He teaches across undergraduate and postgraduate design programs, coordinating key units such as Architectural Research Approaches and Design Research Methods. He supervises PhD and master’s students in architecture, design, visual arts, and human geography, with a focus on space, media, and social theory.

His service includes co-editing a special issue of Archnet-IJAR on architecture in the age of social media and convening international colloquia. He has received internal funding from UTAS for curriculum development projects. He has also led public engagement initiatives, including augmented reality demonstrations and curated exhibitions.