Prof Gareth Williams

Biography

I am the Dean of the Faculty of Arts and Creative Industries and a Professor of Design. The faculty includes teaching, research and knowledge exchange in design, communication, media and arts subjects. Under the banner of MDX Studios we also operate as a creative agency with partners in the creative industries, local government, civic society and further education to support students' career ambitions.

My expertise in contemporary design practices was acquired as a curator at the Victoria and Albert Museum before I joined the Royal College of Art as a Senior Lecturer in Design Products and Reader in Design Curation.  I joined Middlesex University as Professor of Design and Head of the Design Department in 2016, and was subsequently Deputy Dean for Education and Director of MDX Studios. I became Dean in September 2026.

I completed my PhD '‘Towards a Theory of Performative Design: writing about design and designers since 1990’ at Kingston University in 2016. I was awarded Senior Fellowship of the Higher Education Academy (SFHEA) in 2018 and completed my MBA in Senior Leadership at Middlesex University in 2024.

Teaching

I have taught on MA Interior Architecture and Design, offering tutorial support to students on the modules IAD4010 ‘Explore: Scale and Place’, IAD4011 ‘Encounter: Contexts and Debates’, IAD4020 ‘Develop: Personal Practice’ and IAD4030 ‘Realise: Independent Research and Design’. I am also currently Director of Studies for Mamiko Markham for her PhD thesis 'The Translational Functions of Katagami: Japonisme and Commerce between 1870 and 1890 via the Silver Studio Collection'

Previous research student supervision includes Gwen Fereday, ‘Synaesthetic colour responses to text: an investigation through fine art textiles’ (2019, Director of Studies); David Fern, ‘The Interior, the Experiencer, Kokoro: towards the essence of place’, (2019, supervisor); and Lara Furniss, ‘Universal Eyes: Defying Classification: a study exploring the processes of 21st Century design studios’ (Birmingham City University, 2019, second supervisor).