Kees Dorst is Professor of Transdisciplinary Innovation at the University of Technology Sydney’s TD School.

He is considered one of the lead thinkers developing the field of design, valued for his ability to connect a philosophical understanding of the logic of design with hands-on practice. As a bridge-builder between these two worlds, his writings on design as a way of thinking are read by both practitioners and academics. He has written several bestselling books in the field – ‘Understanding Design’ (2003, 2006), ‘Design Expertise’ (with Bryan Lawson, 2013), 'Frame Innovation' (2015) ‘Designing for the Common Good’ (2016) and ‘Notes on Design – How Creative Practice Works’ (2017).

Over the years his focus has developed to the use of designerly ways of thinking outside the traditional design domains – in particular as applied to the ‘wicked’ problems of the new networked society. He has developed a set of methodologies to support these processes, experimenting with them in practice through the research centres and degree programs he founded.

He is a member of the Advisory Group for the UN Development Program, overseeing the creation of platforms around the world to achieve the UN Sustainable Development Goals.