Professor David Hawkins was awarded a BSc (Hons) and DPS in Ergonomics from Loughborough University in 1980, and a PhD from the University of Plymouth in 1997 in Design History.  

From 2017 until 2021, he was the Executive Dean of the School of Digital, Technologies and Arts at Staffordshire University. He was previously Head of the School of Design and Art at Curtin University in Perth, Western Australia; Head of Falmouth University’s Graduate School; and Deputy Executive Dean of the Faculty of Creative Industries and Business at Unitec in New Zealand, following academic posts in the UK and Ireland. His research and practice have included product and vehicle design, ergonomics and user-centred design, user aspects of smart energy grids, electronic products, computer games, creative entrepreneurship, and craft metalwork, including three university ceremonial maces. Professor Hawkins has been a magazine editor, editorial board member, and published in book and journal form across design and ergonomics related subjects, including design pedagogy, craft processes, vehicle design, fashion business, public art, and user experience design. He has managed five curated art galleries, been a Trustee and Director of several creative and regeneration-linked organisations and charities, including The Clay Foundation, Stoke Creates, John Curtin Gallery (Perth WA), Channel Corridor AIF Board, Medway Enterprise Gateway, Folkestone Creative Foundation, and the Devon Guild of Craftsmen. He has been a visiting lecturer at universities in Ireland, UK, China, Taipei, Egypt, South Korea, Italy, Germany, Australia, and New Zealand.  

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