UWE Bristol academics shaping the future of design across disciplines
Three senior leaders from the College of Arts, Technology and Environment at UWE Bristol have been appointed to prominent national roles across architecture, art and design.
Professor Elena Marco, Pro Vice-Chancellor and Head of College of Arts, Technology and Environment (CATE), has been selected as one of five new trustees at the Design Council, joining a cohort of high-profile experts to help deliver the Council’s Design for Planet mission. Elena, along with her fellow board members, will champion and support the 1.97m people working in the design sector and the mission to upskill one million designers in green skills by 2030.
She joins the Design Council in a monumental year as the charity prepares to host the prestigious World Design Congress™ in September in London. This is a key moment for British design on the global stage and highlights the UK’s position as a critical player in the international design sector.
She said: “I’m honoured to join the Design Council at a pivotal moment. With design playing a critical role in tackling the climate crisis, I hope to help make a meaningful difference. As we spotlight bold visionaries ahead of the 2025 World Design Congress, it’s clear: design must lead the way toward a regenerative future.”
Professor Marco’s new role is the latest in a series of prestigious appointments demonstrating UWE Bristol’s influence in this sector.
Dr Matthew Jones, Dean and Head of the School of Architecture and Environment has been appointed as a Vice-Chair of the QAA Subject Benchmark Statement for Architecture. In June, he also joined the Design Council’s new cohort of Experts – a dynamic community of pioneers working to drive planet-positive and regenerative change through design, policy, and advocacy.
Dr Jacqueline Butler, Dean and Head of School of Arts is contributing to the QAA Subject Benchmark Statement for Art and Design and has also been appointed Vice-Chair of the Council for Higher Education in Art and Design (CHEAD). CHEAD has a national membership of 70 HEIs and plays a pivotal role in influencing government policy, and advocating and shaping the academic and strategic direction of arts education.
In a joint statement, they said: "As three voices for design, we’re shaping it in all its forms nationally—across architecture, art, and design. Together, we’re championing a future where design is not only inclusive and innovative, but regenerative and essential to tackling the biggest challenges of our time."
Related news
04 April 2025
New partnership between UWE Bristol and Bristol Creative Industries will develop student talent network
UWE Bristol and Bristol Creative Industries (BCI) have formed a new partnership to support Bristol’s thriving creative businesses and provide enhanced careers opportunities to students entering the industry.
03 April 2025
Interdisciplinary studio bridging the gap between creative industries and technology opens at UWE Bristol
A new £3.6m laboratory has opened at UWE Bristol which will provide a unique arts, humanities and technologies multi-disciplinary space for researchers, entrepreneurs and businesses across the West of England.
07 March 2025
UWE Bristol and Ashton Park School transform urban landscape near university campus
Students bring creativity and a splash of colour to a well-used city underpass by painting a new mural celebrating diversity and inclusivity.
07 March 2025
UWE Bristol students triumph at regional RTS Awards
UWE Bristol filmmaking and animation students won three categories of the RTS West of England Student Awards, held at Watershed in Bristol on 3 March 2025.
03 February 2025
Exhibition celebrates inaugural year of students’ creative agency
Students from UWE Bristol’s New Wave Creative Agency will showcase their work at an exhibition at Arnolfini from 8 February.
22 January 2025
Talent collaboration programme UWE Futures expands to support diversity in Bristol's legal and creative sectors
UWE Bristol's talent programme, UWE Futures, which offers paid work experience to global majority students, has expanded in its second year to include more legal firms and a leading organisation in Bristol’s creative sector.
07 January 2025
Assistant Vice-Chancellor selected to join Creative Industries Taskforce
Assistant Vice-Chancellor Lynn Barlow has become part of a new taskforce to help deliver a plan to grow the UK’s creative industries.
10 December 2024
UWE Bristol wins TIGA Games Industry Award
UWE Bristol has won an award for Best Education Initiative at the 2024 TIGA Games Industry Awards.
09 December 2024
UWE Bristol architecture students return from ‘once in a lifetime’ bamboo pavilion build in Ethiopia
UWE Bristol architecture students travelled to Ethiopia where they designed and constructed a large-scale bamboo pavilion in a park close to the capital city.
27 November 2024
Carol Vorderman receives honorary doctorate from UWE Bristol
Broadcaster and writer Carol Vorderman MBE has been awarded an honorary degree by UWE Bristol.
22 November 2024
UWE Bristol professor unveils blue plaque honouring Bristol’s Cary Grant
Dr Charlotte Crofts joined Historic England to unveil a blue plaque celebrating the Hollywood star.
11 November 2024
UWE Bristol alum wins at TIGA UK Games Education Awards 2024
Kieran De Sousa, a UWE Bristol BSc (Hons) Games Technology graduate, has won a top video game industry award.
You may also be interested in
Media enquiries
Enquiries related to news releases and press and contacts for the media team.
Find an expert
Media contacts are invited to check out the vast range of subjects where UWE Bristol can offer up expert commentary.