Design Management Group

Research opportunities (PhD topics)

We are interested in receiving applications from high quality candidates for PhD research in the field of Design Management.

Potential applicants should have (or be expect to obtain) a first class or 2:1 degree in engineering, design or a related discipline. An excellent command of the English language, both oral and written is essential.

Initial inquiries should be directed to the Principal Investigator Dr James Moultrie. Further details about the formal application procedure are available here.

Funding is limited and thus applicants should only consider applying if they are confident they can secure finance themselves. UK/EU candidates considering starting in the forthcoming academic year may be eligible for a full PhD studentship; including university and college fees and maintenance. However, places are extremely limited, and candidates must have a first class honours degree from a leading UK university.

Current topics

Evolution of product development management practices

Most literature regarding the management of new product development stems from work in the late 1970s. However, it is evident that companies have been developing new products since the beginning of the industrial revolution. This proposed project seeks to build partnerships with mature firms (around 100 years old), to explore the ways in which new product development management has changed.

Beyond stage-gate, new ways of managing product development

Phase review processes have become a widespread industry standard way of managing product development projects. However, to respond to the need for radical innovation and flexibility, companies are evolving new ways to manage the innovation process. This project seeks to understand the characteristics of the product development process and understand how to effectively configure the process to match the specific circumstances of an individual project.

Assessing and improving sustainable design capabilities

What are the capabilities needed to deliver sustainable new products? This project seeks to investigate how firms currently design products to be sustainable and develop an approach to assessing capabilities.

History of the concept car

Automotive firms have produced concept cars for many years. This project seeks to explore the history and origins of the concept car, in order to understand the potential benefits and influence of them.

Designer’s visions of the future

Throughout the 20th Century, designers and architects have created visions of future cities, buildings, products and artefacts. This project seeks to understand the implications of these visions.

Growth, evolution and change in the design services sector

The design services sector has matured over the last 50 years. This project seeks to explore the ways in which the design services sector has changed, and identify patterns for how it might evolve in the future.

Assessing and improving design management capabilities

Effective design management capabilities are of increasing importance in all firms. Design management should be consistent, coherent and aligned in an organisation. This project seeks to investigate how design is currently managed and develop an approach to assessing capabilities.