My research is driven by a commitment to understanding and advancing the role of design as a socially engaged and culturally responsive practice. Positioned at the intersection of Social Design and Cultural Memory, my work explores how design can act as a catalyst for awareness, dialogue, and positive transformation within communities—particularly those navigating complex social, historical, or post-conflict conditions. 

Social Design: Designer as Citizen 

A significant strand of my research examines the expanded responsibilities of the designer within society. I investigate the notion that design is not merely the production of visual outputs but a broader system of thinking, methodologies, tools, histories, and skills that can meaningfully contribute to public life. My conceptual framework—“Designer as Citizen”—situates design practice as a civic activity, one that enables designers to participate in social conversations, mediate between diverse groups, and advocate for community needs. 

Within this context, I explore how design can illuminate critical issues, prompt reflection, and facilitate social behavioural change. This includes examining how designers can create platforms for public engagement, communicate complex ideas with clarity and accessibility, and foster more inclusive and equitable forms of representation. My research demonstrates that when approached with intentionality and ethical awareness, design can function as a form of cultural intervention—one that influences perceptions, supports social cohesion, and amplifies marginalized narratives. 

Cultural Memory and Post-Conflict Contexts 

Complementing my work in Social Design is my focus on Cultural Memory, particularly in post-conflict and transitional societies. I study how communities remember, narrate, and visually construct their past, and how design practices—from exhibitions and commemorative materials to public communication systems—shape collective memory. My research highlights the role of design in supporting processes of healing, identity formation, and reconciliation, especially in contexts where histories are contested or fragmented. 

This area of inquiry considers how visual communication can help articulate shared narratives, encourage empathy, and make space for multiple voices in the representation of the past. By examining the design of memorial artefacts, cultural projects, and heritage communication, I aim to understand how designers can contribute to more nuanced, inclusive, and human-centred approaches to remembering. 

Contribution and Future Directions 

My overarching research agenda seeks to position design as a meaningful actor in shaping cultural understanding and social progress. By bridging Social Design and Cultural Memory, I aim to expand discourse around the ethical, civic, and cultural responsibilities of designers. Future research will continue to explore how design can support community resilience, engage with difficult histories, and create environments where diverse experiences and perspectives can be acknowledged and valued. 

Ultimately, my work advocates for a vision of design as a critical, reflective, and socially situated practice— one that contributes not only to aesthetic innovation but to the wellbeing, cohesion, and cultural vitality of society.