Abby Mellick Lopes
Associate Professor Abby Mellick Lopes is a design studies scholar engaged in interdisciplinary, design-led social research and the Director of Postgraduate Design Studies at UTS. An award-winning teacher and experienced postgraduate supervisor, Abby’s research focuses on the relationship between design and social arrangements to support the transition to more sustainable cultures and economies. Her recent projects have tackled issues such as civic trust in drinking water, the impact of development trends on the urban commons, food and waste economies and cultures of repair. Her research practice brings design into relation with a number of disciplines including cultural studies, geography, urban studies and sociology. She collaborates with a wide range of academic, industry and government partners, currently holding an Adjunct position in the School of Humanities and Communication Arts, Western Sydney University and is also an Associate of the Institute for Culture and Society.
