Research

Design offers a vibrant Research community, incorporating a number of Masters and PhD students. Design Studies maintains a broad range of research topics with an emphasis on strong original research.

A range of research topics cover the spectrum which include, product design, new communications paradigms, user-centered design guidelines, way-finding, computational fluid dynamics, the relationship between packaging and fine arts, web communities, and design strategies, designing of virtual environments, interpretive design, to name a few. These research projects are conducted in cooperation with other university disciplines such as Te Tumu, Surgery, Geography, Botany, Physics, and Information Science.

Design is also involved in supporting industry and community projects, recent examples are Fisher and Paykel, Frucor, NERI, and Skychefs.

Postgraduate Study

Overview of the Research (Thesis) Masters’ Degrees (MCApSc & MAppSc)

Masters’ degrees at Otago are research-based and are designed to equip you either to move into employment or to advance seamlessly to a doctoral study programme. At Otago we regard research as the heart of our academic activity and we believe that the synergy we have achieved between research and our graduate degree programmes contributes powerfully to our reputation as one of New Zealand’s outstanding research universities. Master in Design (MDes) consists of a taught semester of papers and a year of research thesis including a design outcome.

A Masters degree by thesis is a supervised research degree. The one-year programme consists of a thesis, which must be a substantial work and the outcome of independent research conducted under supervision. The two-year programme comprises a year of coursework followed by a thesis.

Entrance requirements: Candidates with a four years honours degree or postgraduate diploma may apply for master’s study by thesis only. In some cases, candidates with a bachelor’s degree may apply for master’s study by coursework and thesis.

Applications for admission to a Master’s programme is accepted throughout the year for study beginning at the start of the following academic year, or by 1 June for study beginning in Semester 2. Late applications can be considered for most Masters’ programmes. Please see below for the application process for doing a Masters degree in the Department of Applied Sciences.

More information and details of the Masters handbook can be located on:
http://www.otago.ac.nz/study/masters/handbook/overviewofadmin

Overview of the Doctor of Philosophy (PhD)

The degree of Doctor of Philosophy is awarded on the basis of the submission of a thesis. The thesis should give evidence of the candidate’s ability to carry out research, that the candidate has shown originality and independence, and that the candidate has made a significant contribution to knowledge in the particular field. It is expected that some of the work in the thesis would be worthy of publication. The research should be of a kind which a diligent and competent student might reasonably be expected to complete within three years of full-time study.

Entrance requirements: Admission usually requires the completion of a master’s degree, or a four year first class or upper second class honours degree in the same area of study, or a related discipline. Applicants for this degree must have a demonstrated research background.

Applications are welcome at any time.

More information and details of the PhD handbook can be located on:
http://www.otago.ac.nz/study/phd/overview

Initial Enquiries

A qualified person who is interested in being accepted by the University as a candidate for a research Master’s and PhD degree should supply the following information:

• certified copy of full academic record (if not an Otago graduate)
• curriculum vitae
• details of any professional experience relevant to the proposed course of study
• the proposed area of research with an initial research proposal (with as much detail as is possible so that the relevant academic Department can assess whether expert supervision can be offered for the proposed topic)
• details of any funding support which has already been obtained, or which is being sought

A project proposal template is attached for your guidelines: proposal template (PDF)

Initial enquiries and applications can be sent direct to the Department:
janeice.young@otago.ac.nz

Direct enquiries about applied industry research should be sent to:
Professor Raechel Laing
+64 3 479 7540
raechel.laing@otago.ac.nz

MDes enquiries:
Dr Mick Abbott
Programme Director
mick.abbott@otago.ac.nz
+64 3 479 5796

Enquiries from international students (i.e. individuals who are not New Zealand or Australian citizens or permanent residents)
Information for prospective postgraduate International students can be found on:
http://www.otago.ac.nz/international/postgraduate/index

Postgraduate Scholarships

Sources of funding
A summary printout of all sources of funding and Postgraduate Awards is available elsewhere on the website or on request from the Scholarship Administrators, whose office is located on the ground floor of the Clocktower Building, Room G03. An annual display of this material is also set up in the Clocktower Building from 1 September until 1 November, which is the closing date for many awards. Most, but not all, Postgraduate Awards for Master's students are tenable for a maximum of 1 year and provide for payment of tuition fees in addition to an annual emolument.
http://www.otago.ac.nz/study/scholarships/

Recent publications

• Design Studies Research Newsletter ‘insightout’ December 2007 (PDF)
• Design Studies Research Newsletter ‘insightout’ December 2006 (PDF)
• Design Studies Research Newsletter ‘insightout’ December 2005 (PDF)
• ‘How can we make everyday life better’ (PDF)