Hilary Kenna

Hilary Kenna is a prominent figure in the field of design education and research at Dún Laoghaire Institute of Art, Design and Technology (IADT) in Ireland. She holds multiple roles and has made significant contributions to design thinking and education:

Professional Roles

• Head of Department: Hilary Kenna serves as the Head of Department of Technology & Psychology at IADT.13

• Lecturer: She is a Lecturer in Design & User Experience, teaching on the Masters & Postgraduate Diploma in User Experience Design programs.3

• Programme Chair: Kenna is the Programme Chair for the Postgraduate Certificate in Speculative Design Futures at IADT.

Expertise and Contributions

• Design Thinking Expert: Kenna has developed a new Postgraduate Certificate in Design Thinking at IADT, demonstrating her expertise in this area.1

• Educator: She has been instrumental in advancing design education, particularly in the areas of user experience and design thinking.3

• Researcher: Her work involves exploring the intersection of technology, psychology, and design.34

Additional Roles

• Assessor: Kenna serves as an assessor at Irish events reviewing student submissions from design programs across Ireland.2

• Entrepreneur: In addition to her academic roles, she is also described as an entrepreneur.4

Impact on Design Education

Hilary Kenna has been a vocal advocate for the importance of design thinking in various sectors. She believes that the growing interest in design thinking from other disciplines is augmenting the value and importance of design. Her work has contributed to a new design literacy emerging outside the traditional design discipline, facilitating deeper engagement with design in general.1

Kenna's expertise and leadership in design education at IADT have positioned her as a key figure in shaping the future of design thinking and its application across multiple industries.