Eva and Marc Besen International Research Chair in Design
The Eva and Marc Besen International Research Chair in Design is a globally recognised position, established to advance research and innovation in the field of design.
Supported by the Besen Family Foundation, this role invites design thought-leaders to push the boundaries of what’s possible in addressing the world’s most pressing challenges. Through past and current Chair holders, the position has led groundbreaking work across diverse fields such as Medtech development, global health and health system design. Each Chair brings their unique expertise, contributing to Monash University’s global reputation as a leader in design research and education.
Professor Mel Dodd, Dean, Monash Art, Design and Architecture
“Monash Art, Design and Architecture is privileged and delighted to host the Eva and Marc Besen International Research Chair in Design and appreciates the Besen Family’s far-sighted commitment to recognising the role of design in advancing knowledge and catalysing change.”
Our current research
Under the leadership of the current Chair Associate Professor Leah Heiss, we are designing solutions to some of the world’s most complex healthcare challenges. Using innovative co-design approaches to explore complex health systems, our work from 2021 onwards spans three intersecting domains:
Designing for Global Health; Spaces, Services, and Systems; and Emerging Technologies and Entrepreneurship.
Current and Former Besen Chair
Associate Professor Leah Heiss
Current Besen Chair | 2021-present
Associate Professor Heiss’ work focuses on the role of design in improving the lived experience of health technologies, systems and services, locally and globally. She is a leader in co-designing health systems including in global health, transfusion medicine, and mental health and addiction.
Alongside her role as Besen Chair, Leah is Chair of the Victorian Premier’s Design Awards, Australian Good Design Ambassador, and Co-chair of the Victorian Heart Institute New Technologies Grand Challenge. Her work has received many awards including nine Good Design Awards, the CSIRO Design Innovation Award, three Victorian Premier’s Design Awards, and in 2022 she was awarded the Australian Women in Design Award. Her work has been exhibited globally to over 800,000 people.
Read more
Associate Professor Heiss’ work focuses on the role of design in improving the lived experience of health technologies, systems and services, locally and globally. She is a leader in co-designing health systems including in global health, transfusion medicine, and mental health and addiction.
Alongside her role as Besen Chair, Leah is Chair of the Victorian Premier’s Design Awards, Australian Good Design Ambassador, and Co-chair of the Victorian Heart Institute New Technologies Grand Challenge. Her work has received many awards including nine Good Design Awards, the CSIRO Design Innovation Award, three Victorian Premier’s Design Awards, and in 2022 she was awarded the Australian Women in Design Award. Her work has been exhibited globally to over 800,000 people.
Read more
Professor Mark Armstrong
Foundation Besen Chair | 2013-2020
Mark Armstrong is an Adjunct Professor in Design, a Fellow of the Design Institute of Australia and an inductee into the Design Hall of Fame. In 2019, Mark was honoured with Good Design Australia’s Australian Design Prize in recognition for his contribution to the Australian design profession.
Mark is recognised as one of Australia’s foremost designers. He applies a collaborative multi-disciplinary process of studio-based research to achieve design excellence and innovation. As well as an Adjunct Professor at Monash University, he was Founder and Director of Blue Sky, one of Australia’s leading design consultancies. Mark has steered Blue Sky to meet new challenges in the Australian design landscape with projects including the Sydney 2000 Olympic Torch and the Qantas Check-ins. His clients include Cochlear, ResMed, Breville, Coles, Electrolux, Commonwealth Bank, Philips, Caroma, Victa, United Nations, Olympus and SOCOG.
Read more
Mark Armstrong is an Adjunct Professor in Design, a Fellow of the Design Institute of Australia and an inductee into the Design Hall of Fame. In 2019, Mark was honoured with Good Design Australia’s Australian Design Prize in recognition for his contribution to the Australian design profession.
Mark is recognised as one of Australia’s foremost designers. He applies a collaborative multi-disciplinary process of studio-based research to achieve design excellence and innovation. As well as an Adjunct Professor at Monash University, he was Founder and Director of Blue Sky, one of Australia’s leading design consultancies. Mark has steered Blue Sky to meet new challenges in the Australian design landscape with projects including the Sydney 2000 Olympic Torch and the Qantas Check-ins. His clients include Cochlear, ResMed, Breville, Coles, Electrolux, Commonwealth Bank, Philips, Caroma, Victa, United Nations, Olympus and SOCOG.
Read more