Markus Wernli

Markus Wernli is a Research Assistant Professor in the School of Design at The Hong Kong Polytechnic University, where he advances regenerative design and participatory citizen science. He is also a member of the RiFood research cluster and PolyU Academy for Interdisciplinary Research.

Education:

• PhD in Design (Urban Design Lab), The Hong Kong Polytechnic University, 2020
• MFA in New Media, Danube University Krems, Austria
• BA in Visual Design, Zurich School of Applied Art
• BA in Jewellery Design, Zurich School of Applied Art

Research Interests:
Markus investigates eco-socially regenerative practices through bioregioning, soil-to-soil food economies, and participatory citizen science. His work connects food systems with local ecosystems, emphasizing collective fermentation, food agency, eco-sanitation, and interspecies collaboration to foster resilient communities.

Recent Publications:
Across 2021–2025, Wernli’s articles span remote sensing, soil-care service design, cosmotechnics, and agroecological codesign. Collectively they advance methodological and theoretical frameworks for engaging communities in environmental monitoring, circular food systems, and regenerative economies.

Awards & Grants:

• British Council Connections Through Culture grant
• Zero Foodprint Asia R&D grant
• Stimulerings Fonds Internationalisation grant
• Times Higher Education Awards Asia finalist
• Don Norman Design Award (Promising)
• Faculty Award in Knowledge Transfer (Society), PolyU
• Pro Helvetia Exhibition Grant
• Best Poster Presentation Award, Smart Ageing Session
• Honorary Scholarship

Collaborations & Outreach:
Markus has guest-lectured at the Royal Danish Academy, Central Saint Martins, UNSW, ITB Bandung, and Zokei University, and organized workshops for Dutch Design Week and the ACSA Annual Meeting. He leads projects such as Soil Trust, Anthroponix, and From Bowel to Tidal Movements, all fostering cross-sector alliances for regenerative futures.

Labs & Teams:
He is affiliated with the Urban Design Lab and RiFood at PolyU, and collaborates internationally through citizen-science collectives and design studios.