Olinkha Gustafson-Pearce

Olinkha Gustafson-Pearce is a Lecturer in Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering at Brunel University London, affiliated with the College of Engineering, Design and Physical Sciences. She specializes in Graphic Communication, with a focus on Information Architecture and Virtual Learning Environments (VLEs), particularly in virtual worlds like Second Life. She leads the Virtual Brunel project, a 3D immersive platform for education and public engagement.

• PhD in Information Architecture (Brunel University London)
• BA (Hons) in Graphic Information Design (Westminster University)
• Postgraduate Certificate in Learning and Teaching in Higher Education (Brunel University London)

Her research explores structure and navigation in virtual worlds, emphasizing accessibility for distance learners and visually impaired users. She investigates tactile signal systems, information overload in media, and urban design in cultural contexts. Her work has been supported by Brunel’s L&T Innovation Fund (£5973.00).

Olinkha is a founding member and fellow of the Human-Centred Design Institute, a Fellow of the Higher Education Academy, and a member of the IET. She supervises PhD and MA students, focusing on projects like visual semiotics in advertising billboards and methodologies for reclaiming cultural urban spaces.