UTS Faculty of Design and Society

05/06/2026

How can we design our way out of Australia’s housing crisis?

At the latest Curiosities Live event at UTS, Professor Anthony Burke joined Architectural storyteller and Modernister author Tim Ross to explore the role of architecture and design in creating more affordable, sustainable and connected housing futures.

Exploring everything from emerging materials and technologies to multigenerational and communal living, the conversation offered fresh perspectives on the future of housing in Australia.

Listen to the episode on Australian Broadcasting Corporation (ABC) Radio National’s Big Ideas: https://www.abc.net.au/listen/programs/bigideas/anthony-burke-tim-ross-housing-crisis-design-architecture/106687430

04/06/2026

A milestone for sustainable fashion!

University of Technology Sydney has partnered with noéma, a material innovation startup, to develop the company's first prototype garments made entirely from its novel biobased, fully compostable yarn.

Working alongside the UTS Advanced Fabrication Research Laboratory (AFRL) and the Centre of Excellence in Sustainable Fashion + Textiles (CoE), the project leveraged UTS's state-of-the-art 3D knitting technology to transform innovative plant-based materials into seamless, wearable garments while supporting a zero-waste approach to manufacturing.

“It is like watching firsthand the fashion of the future being developed, knowing it is better for people and planet.” — Dr Lisa Lake, CoE Director

📸 Sandra Vassilopoulou, Founder & CEO of noéma, with Shirley Tam, Technical Officer, 3D Knitting, AFRL. Photos by Finn Marchant.

03/06/2026

From professional cycling to the pages of Vogue Australia.

Recent Fashion Honours graduate Connor Brown has been featured in 'In the Making', Vogue Australia’s spotlight on the next generation of Australian creatives shaping the future of their industries.

In the profile, Connor reflects on the moment that led him from professional cycling to fashion, his graduate collection inspired by liminal spaces, and his vision for creating stronger support networks for emerging designers.

02/06/2026

Australian Fashion Week may be over, but we're still reflecting on the incredible work of our graduates.

In a recent feature by Holding Space Sydney, University of Technology Sydney graduates Rose Guiffre and Alberta Bucciarelli Stournaras share the stories behind their Australian Fashion Week debut collections at the Frontier and New Gen showcases. From innovative technologies and knitwear experimentation to sustainability and the future of Australian fashion, the substack article offers an insight into the creative thinking shaping the next generation of designers.

Read more:

In Conversation with: Rose Guiffre and Alberta Bucciarelli

02/06/2026

The end of another grad season 🎓✨

From Architecture, Built Environment, Communication, Design, and International Studies and Education - congratulations to our newest graduates!

02/06/2026

What role can nature play in achieving a net zero future?

Join us for Net Zero Futures: Nature as Climate Infrastructure, where leaders across climate, finance, policy and industry will explore how nature can be recognised and invested in as critical infrastructure.

From climate resilience and biodiversity to sustainable investment and economic transformation, this event will examine the opportunities and challenges of integrating nature into decision-making at scale.

Held as part of the Net Zero Futures series at University of Technology Sydney, the event will also connect Australian leadership to global developments, including the Global Nature Positive Summit in Japan in July 2026.

📅 Thu, 18 Jun, 9:30am - 4:30pm AEST
📍 UTS Great Hall, Building 1, Level 5, Ultimo NSW, Australia
🔗 Register: https://events.humanitix.com/net-zero-futures-nature-as-climate-infrastructure

25/05/2026

Want to work in fashion but don’t see yourself as a designer? You’re not alone and you’re not limited.

Fashion is a vast, fast-moving industry that relies on a network of professionals working across sustainability, supply chains, technology, retail, and production to bring ideas to life.

From digital design and brand management to manufacturing and sustainability strategy, the industry is evolving and so are the careers within it.

Associate Professor Timo Rissanen explores 10 fashion careers you might not have considered - but should.

Read more:

Want to work in fashion but don’t see yourself as a designer? The industry is full of exciting, essential roles beyond the sketchpad.

20/05/2026

Thinking about studying sustainability?

Before you decide, it helps to understand what the degree actually looks like and where it can take you.

Sustainability is shaping how cities grow, how organisations operate, and how communities respond to change. It sits behind decisions about energy, housing, policy, business, and social impact.

A sustainability degree brings together different ways of thinking to understand complex global challenges and respond to them in practical, real-world ways.

It’s not always a straight path, but that’s what makes it such a dynamic one so here are 6 things you should know before you enrol.

Read more:

Thinking about a sustainability degree at UTS? Here are 6 things to know about skills, outcomes, and future opportunities before you enrol.

18/05/2026

recent uni outfits feat. law & comms student .hill 🤍

17/05/2026

How do you actually become an architect in Australia?

It’s a question a lot of creative thinkers ask - especially if you’re drawn to designing spaces that shape how we live, work and connect.

Architecture is more than buildings. It’s function, form, sustainability, and the relationship between people and place. Here’s a simple breakdown of the five key steps to becoming an architect in Australia.

Read more:

Thinking about a career in architecture? Learn the five steps to becoming an architect in Australia and explore architecture degrees at UTS.

15/05/2026

Want a career that makes a real difference?

Sustainability is no longer a niche field. It’s shaping how businesses operate, how cities grow, and how communities thrive and it’s driving demand for people who can turn big ideas into real-world impact.

We’ve pulled together 10 sustainability careers shaping Australia’s future, and where this pathway could take you next.

Read more:

Discover 10 sustainability careers in Australia, from climate policy to social impact. Explore where a sustainability degree can take you.

14/05/2026

day in the life of & comms student .hill ✨

13/05/2026

When people think criminology, policing is usually the first thing that comes to mind. But it’s only one of many directions this field can take.

Criminology is about understanding why crime happens, how it impacts communities, and what actually works to prevent it. A criminology degree offers a practical, evidence-based approach - exploring real issues like cybercrime, online harm, and transnational crime, while building skills in data analysis, policy, and problem-solving.

So what does that look like in the real world? We’ve pulled together 9 career paths that show just how far a criminology degree can take you and where it could lead next.

Read more:

Discover 9 criminology careers beyond policing, from intelligence and policy to cybercrime and community safety. See where a UTS criminology degree can take you.

11/05/2026

A look into the first pin-ups and presentations from Architectural Studio 01, where students explored Yurong (Mrs Macquarie’s Chair) through sustained site engagement and learning from Country.

Over the first three weeks, students developed drawings and mappings grounded in direct observation and time spent on site, building an understanding of place through listening, noticing, and recording. These studies formed the foundation for a deeper reading of the site’s cultural, spatial, and environmental conditions.

Subject: 11273 – Architectural Studio 01
Subject Coordinators: Professor Anthony Burke, Matte Ager-McConnell
Teaching Team: Jodie Chieu, Janelle Woo, Umi Graham, Roger Miranda, Yousef Ghazal, Malak Al-Faraj, Ed Cook, Cilicia Christie, Ursula Meyer, Tyler Smith, Billy Feuerman, Sam Sweeney

07/05/2026

Spotted in Vogue Australia 👀

Our Fashion Honours alumni are featured in Vogue Vanguard spotlighting the next wave of designers shaping the future of Australian fashion.

From Suzaan Stander’s surreal, psychologically charged constructions to Niamh Galea’s tactile, community-driven practice, these designers are already making their mark on the global stage.

Proud to see their work recognised alongside this year’s Australian Fashion Week momentum and in the same issue featuring Anne Hathaway.

The future of fashion is here - and it’s homegrown.

05/05/2026

Our Fashion Honours alumni are making their mark at Australian Fashion Council (AFC) Australia Fashion Week Week 2026 ✨

We’re incredibly proud to see a new wave of our Fashion Honours graduates debuting on one of the nation’s biggest fashion stages this year, with collections featured across The Frontier and New Generation showcases.

Featuring:
Rose Guiffre (The Frontier)
A textile-led collection shaped by slow handcraft, combining beading, embroidery and reclaimed bridal materials.

Ouse – Samantha Diorio (The Frontier)
A modular, seasonless collection exploring transformation and versatility through deadstock and recycled fabrics.

Suzaan Stander (The Frontier)
A corsetry and leatherwork-driven collection inspired by surreal storytelling and imagined theatrical worlds.

Alberta Bucciarelli Stournaras (New Generation)
A knitwear collection inspired by marine ecosystems, translating hand-drawn studies into innovative jacquard textiles and experimental construction utilising advanced Shima Seiki WHOLEGARMENT® technology.

Read more: https://fashionjournal.com.au/fashion/debut-australian-fashion-week/

04/05/2026

Our Fashion Honours graduate, Kristie Wang's work featured in Vogue Australia.

Actor Mabel Li wears a look by Kristie Wang, styled with Georg Jensen earrings and a St. Agni belt, in a feature spotlighting The Testaments.

Read more: https://www.vogue.com.au/culture/features/mabel-li-the-testaments/image-gallery/a2d3a84ef369eb03a63ee989c8745d6c?page=1

04/05/2026

Landlords are being pushed to rethink the role of residential property as interest rates climb - and a subtle shift toward commercial is beginning.

Melbourne buyers’ advocate and Master of Property Development student Abdullah Nouh shares insight into what’s driving this change, and why understanding the difference between residential and commercial assets is more important than ever.

As he puts it: residential property is shaped by sentiment - commercial is driven by income. With yields between 5–8% and the cash rate expected to rise, investors are increasingly prioritising consistent income and long-term fundamentals over speculation.

Read more:

A higher interest rate environment is causing a property re-think for investors.

04/05/2026

Independent designers aren’t just participating in Australian Fashion Council (AFC) Australian Fashion Week - they’re reshaping it.

Proud to see our Fashion Honours alumni leading that shift. Suzaan Stander presenting at The Frontier - a group showcase of emerging designers within the schedule, while Hannah Teresa, the mind behind cult label HALUMINOUS, continues to build a strong sense of community within Sydney’s independent fashion scene through her work and retail space.

From surreal corsetry to community-driven retail spaces, this next generation is proving that fashion’s future lies in individuality, experimentation and connection not just scale.

Read more on Refinery29: https://www.refinery29.com/en-au/frontier-fashion-week-2026

01/05/2026

UTS: University of Technology Sydney has expanded its annual Beginner Teacher Conference, welcoming high school students into the program for the first time alongside preservice teachers.

Students from Future Teachers Clubs at Macquarie Fields, Sir Joseph Banks, Ingleburn, Elizabeth Macarthur, and Oran Park High Schools joined UTS students for a day focused on contemporary teaching practice.

The program covered engaging diverse learners, equity in STEAM, Stage 6 teaching, and the role of AI in classrooms through NSW EduChat.

Keynote speaker Murat Dizdar, Secretary of the NSW Department of Education, spoke about the broader role teachers play in school communities and the importance of supporting all students.

The conference brought together future teachers at different stages, creating an opportunity to learn from educators and better understand pathways into the profession.

Read more: https://www.uts.edu.au/news/2026/05/uts-brings-together-future-teachers-at-2026-beginner-teacher-conference

01/05/2026

What do the proposed NDIS reforms mean for supported accommodation?

Industry Fellow, Jack Kelly and Professor, Phillippa Carnemolla examine the shift toward commissioning supported independent living services - signalling a move away from the current market-based model.

While greater regulation may improve safety and quality, it raises critical questions about choice and autonomy for people with disability, particularly those in group homes.

Read more:

The government acknowledges the current market-based model isn’t working. So what changes are ahead for disability accommodation?

29/04/2026

What will jobs in sustainable fashion actually look like by 2030?

A new report from the Centre of Excellence in Sustainable Fashion + Textiles - led by University of Technology Sydney and TAFE NSW, and launched by NSW Minister for Skills, TAFE and Tertiary Education, Steve Whan MP, maps out 20 roles shaping the future of the industry.

From circular design to advanced manufacturing, the shift is already underway. As Dr Lisa Lake explains, “A sustainable fashion future is within reach.” And it’s being driven by people like Technical Officer, Shirley Tam, whose work in seamless, production-ready knitting connects innovation with real-world application.

The future of fashion isn’t just about what we make but how, why and who makes it.

Read more:

A new report launched today by NSW Minister for Skills, TAFE and Tertiary Education, Steve Whan, outlines in detail the jobs needed to support fashion sustainability in Australia into 2030 and beyond.

28/04/2026

Fashion Honours alumna Alberta Bucciarelli Stournaras’s machine-knitted puffer jacket using expandable yarn is thought to be a first - a Shima Seiki innovation that rethinks how garments are designed, constructed, and produced.

Her work, recently featured by Canberra CityNews, showcases not only technical excellence but also the kind of bold experimentation that’s shaping the future of sustainable fashion.

With her collection set to debut at Australian Fashion Week, Alberta continues to push the boundaries of contemporary design and what knitwear can achieve.

Read more: https://citynews.com.au/2026/world-first-knitted-puffer-makes-runway-at-fashion-week/

21/04/2026

Why does it feel like characters are talking directly to us more than ever?

Breaking the fourth wall isn’t new - but from Fleabag to now Netflix’s Vladimir, breaking the fourth wall is becoming a go-to device for connection, honesty and even discomfort.

As screen culture becomes more “hyperreal,” Associate Professor Alex Munt explores why breaking the fourth wall is having a major moment-and what it says about how we connect with stories today.

Read more:

The fourth wall break is a 100-year-old screen staple – and film and TV creators can’t seem to get enough.

21/04/2026

Thrilled to share that the The State Library of New South Wales 2026 UTS Glenda Adams Award for New Writing presented as part of the NSW Literary Awards shortlist has been announced ✨

This annual award recognises outstanding new literary talent, selecting a winner from debut works across all categories, with a prize of $10,000 supported by UTS.

2026 Shortlisted works:
📖 How to Be Normal — Ange Crawford (Walker Books Australia)
📖 SNAKEFACE — Aliyah Knight (Fruit Box Theatre and Belvoir 25A)
📖 An Ant’s Guide to Being an Ant — Zoe Meagher & Julia Darling (Museums Victoria)
📖 Wait Here — Lucy Nelson (Summit Books Australia / Simon & Schuster Australia)
📖 A Savage Turn — Luke Patterson (Magabala Books)
📖 Find Me at the Jaffa Gate — Micaela Sahhar (NewSouth Publishing)
📖 Long Yarn Short: We Are Still Here — Vanessa Turnbull-Roberts (UQP)

Congratulations to all the shortlisted authors and creatives shaping the future of Australian storytelling 👏

Find out more: https://www.sl.nsw.gov.au/awards/nsw-literary-awards/uts-glenda-adams-award-new-writing