Dr Timothy Whitehead is Associate Dean for Impact in the College of Engineering and Physical Sciences and Senior Lecturer in Design at Aston University. He is a well-rounded academic focusing on applied research, enterprise, and international development.

Timothy’s research focuses on developing practical solutions to global challenges faced in emerging economies, utilising frontier technology, digital transformation, and industry 5.0 principles. The aim is to enable and create technologies and innovation ecosystems that leapfrog traditional approaches to international development. Timothy has a background in design innovation and design thinking and applies this human-centred approach to his work, improving the lives and opportunities of those living in low-middle income countries.

As Associate Dean for Impact, Timothy founded Design Factory Birmingham, part of the Global Design Factory Network. Design Factory Birmingham expands upon Aston’s established Business and Enterprise Hub. It will provide a creative and digital innovation space offering digital and physical solutions while offering students valuable real-world work experience. 

Selected Funding Awarded. 

• 2023 - Principal Investigator. Title: 3D Printed wheelchairs for South Africa and Kenya. Aston Impact Accelerator Award, Funded by Institutional IAA. £14,750
• 2023 – Principal Investigator. Title: Bespoke entry-level wheelchair rugby chairs through advanced distributed manufacture. Funded by EPSRC. £60,000
• 2021 - Principal Investigator. Title: Inclusive Innovation: Supporting people with disabilities through design and entrepreneurship. British Council. £120,000 (www.inclusive-innovation.co.uk)
• 2020 – Principal Investigator. Title: Circular Plastic: Utilising frontier technology and user-centred design to add value to plastic waste, facilitating entrepreneurship. EPSRC - GCRF. £150,000 (www.circularplastic.net)
• 2020 – Co-Investigator. Title: Digital Innovations for Transitioning to a Circular plastic Economy - (DITCh Plastic). EPSRC - GCRF. £148,738 (www.ditch-plastic.org)
• 2018 – Principal Investigator. Title; Circular Digital Manufacturing: A toolkit to disseminate a circular economy approach to 3D Printing with plastic waste in Kenya and surrounding African countries. Funded by GCRF Institutional Block Grant. £42,333 (www.3dp-guide.co.uk)
• 2018 – Co-Investigator. Title: Wealth from Waste: Value-added products for Chennai waste pickers. Funded by Royal Academy of Engineers GCRF Frontiers Scheme 4. £30,000
• 2018 - Co-Investigator. Title; Raising awareness of inclusive crafts: building capacity and self-sufficiency of communication within the Charity SAFOD and the Countries of SA. Funded by AHRC GCRF Follow-on Funding. £71,244

• 2022 International Design Excellence Award (IDEA): Silver
• 2019 Research with Impact - Environmental Association for Universities & Colleges: Finalist
• 2018 International Design Excellence Award (IDEA): Finalist
• 2011 INDEX Design to Improve Life Award: Finalist, Highly Commended
• 2011 International Design Excellence Award (IDEA): Sliver
• 2010 James Dyson Award: UK Winner

• Member of the Institute of Engineering Designers
• Member of the Royal Society of Arts

Phone number: 0121 204 4663
Email: [email protected] 
Room number: MB153E

Open to PhD applicants in areas of Design for International Development, Industrial Design & Design Practice