Baurley comes to the Royal College of Art after serving as Head of Design in the School of Engineering & Design at Brunel University for the past three years. Formerly she was Reader at Central Saint Martins College of Art and Design (UAL). Dr Baurley succeeds Professor Tord Boontje who stepped down at the end of September to focus on his own design studio.
Having done her PhD at the College, Dr Baurley is no stranger to the RCA. In addition, she has also carried out post-doctoral research at Musashino Art University, Tokyo, and John Moores University, Liverpool.
Previously collaborating on research with Vodafone and HP Labs, Dr Baurley is currently working with Horizon, a Digital Economy Research Hub funded by the RCUK Digital Economy programme.
In addition to her academic practice, Baurley is widely experienced in industrial partnerships and has consulted for Courtaulds Textiles, Marks & Spencer, and Unilever, and has produced design work for Design Intelligence.
She has won design awards including the Josef Otten Award for Technical Innovation and the Ideacomo Award for Printing and Dyeing from the Japanese Fashion Foundation.
The RCA’s Professor Dale Harrow, Dean of the School of Design, said: ‘We are delighted that Sharon is to return to the Royal College to be the next Head of Design Products.
Her taking the reins marks a new stage in the programme’s development and puts innovation research at the very heart of the learning experience. The selection panel was very impressed by her approach; in particular her proven academic leadership and vision marked her out from a strong field.’
Baurley will join the College on 20 January 2014.
