On May 10, Mike Waller, Professor of Design and Innovation at Goldsmiths, University of London, and Head of the Goldsmiths Prospecting and Innovation Studio (Pi Studio), visited SUES and delivered a special academic lecture for faculty and students from School of Design(in development). SUES President Lou Yongqi and Distinguished Professor Cheng Zixue attended the lecture, along with representatives from International Office, School of Design (in development), and School of Management.
President Lou Yongqi noted that Goldsmiths’ educational philosophy—emphasizing critical thinking, experimentation, and interdisciplinary integration—aligns closely with SUES’ SPINOVATION model for interdisciplinary talent cultivation, a 3-wings integration of “Engineering × Management × Design”. Both universities share a commitment to breaking down traditional disciplinary boundaries and fostering innovative talent through practice-oriented learning rooted in real-world contexts. This shared vision lays a solid foundation for deeper collaboration in areas such as joint workshops, curriculum development, and faculty and student exchanges.
Professor Waller responded positively to SUES’ SPINOVATION concept. In his lecture on the theme of “Design Innovation and Interdisciplinary Integration”, he introduced cutting-edge methodologies including design thinking, bodystorming, scenario building, and foresight. He emphasized the central role of studio practice and embodied cognition in design education, noting that true innovation is not the result of linear planning, but emerges through reflection in action and interaction across cultures and disciplines—a perspective that resonated strongly with the audience.
Following the lecture, President Lou, Professor Cheng, and Professor Waller engaged in in-depth discussions on integrating design education with engineering and technology, as well as establishing sustainable mechanisms for Sino-British cross-cultural educational collaboration. The session drew enthusiastic participation, with students actively raising questions about design research methodologies and career development. Afterwards, Professor Waller and his delegation toured SUES’ ceramics workshop and Emerging Technologies Lab, expressing appreciation for the university’s achievements in industry–education integration and experimental teaching.
This visit marks a significant step in the partnership between SUES and Goldsmiths, moving from institutional intentions to substantive academic collaboration. Using the “SPINNOVATION” concept as a shared framework, the two universities plan to advance concrete initiatives including joint course development, summer schools, and reciprocal faculty appointments based on joint teaching and research initiatives. These efforts will further support SUES’ goal of becoming a world-class university focused on applied innovation with distinctive industrial features while enhancing the international influence and interdisciplinary innovation capacity of its design disciplines.
