Margaret Maile

Margaret Maile Petty is an accomplished academic leader and design educator who was appointed as Pro Vice-Chancellor Toi Rauwhārangi, College of Creative Arts at Massey University in New Zealand.2 Her career has been focused on innovation in design education and research for over a decade, with a strong commitment to promoting design as a means for positive social impact and change.1

Background and Experience

Professor Petty's academic journey began with studying Art History before transitioning to design due to her interest in its real-world impact.1 She completed her Masters and PhD, developing expertise as a design historian. This background has given her a unique perspective to examine how design operates across various domains - social, cultural, and economic.1

Throughout her career, Professor Petty has held several leadership positions in academia. Prior to her role at Massey University, she served as Professor and Head of the School of Design in the Creative Industries Faculty at Queensland University of Technology (QUT) in Australia.3

Academic Philosophy

Margaret Petty advocates for a multidisciplinary approach to design education. She believes in preparing designers to:

• Communicate across various disciplines
• Collaborate with professionals from diverse fields
• Think entrepreneurially
• Explore new technologies while maintaining a design-led approach1

She emphasizes the importance of fostering an enterprise/entrepreneurial mindset in students, viewing it as a crucial 21st-century capability in a rapidly changing world.1

Leadership and Collaboration

As a senior leader in tertiary education, Professor Petty values:

• Open communication and empathy
• Listening to diverse perspectives
• Creating networks within communities
• Encouraging organic collaborations rather than top-down approaches1

Her leadership style focuses on supporting students in finding their paths and shaping curriculum and research programs that have significant social and environmental impact.1

Professor Petty's expertise and vision in design education have positioned her as a notable figure in the field, contributing to the advancement of creative arts education in New Zealand and beyond.