- Spotlight
1.13 Introducing UTokyo College of Design – A paradisciplinary approach
Event Details
Date/Time: Tuesday, January 13, 12:00-13:00 (JST)
Venue: 21 KOMCEE East K011, Komaba I Campus / Zoom
Speaker: Miles Pennington
Language: English（英語）
Speaker Bio
Miles Pennington
Miles Pennington is a professor of Design Led Innovation at the University of Tokyo, where he is the Director of the unique international and multidisciplinary DLX Design Lab. In April 2025 he was appointed as Prospective Dean of the UTokyo College of Design. Previous to the University of Tokyo he was at the Royal College of Art in London and was the Head of Programme of the Innovation Design Engineering (IDE) joint Masters programme with Imperial College.
Abstract
This talk introduces the new UTokyo College of Design, a programme planned to start in 2027, and created to address social issues through an expanded understanding of design. Rather than focusing solely on products or aesthetics, the College will embrace a beyond interdisciplinary approach we call paradisciplianry that connects design with science, engineering, humanities, business, and policy. Students will work on complex social issues – such as climate change, health, equity, environment, and technology, through studio-based learning and collaborative research. By integrating critical thinking, creativity, systems thinking, and hands-on experimentation, the College aims to develop future change makers who can shape more sustainable, equitable, inclusive, and resilient futures.
Contact
gfd-tokyo@adm.c.u-tokyo.ac.jp