Chris Speed

Chris Speed is a globally recognized scholar and currently serves as the Director of the Regenerative Futures Research Institute at RMIT University in Australia, where he is a Professor of Regenerative Futures Design. As one of the pioneers in the field of Design Informatics, he co-led the Design Informatics Institute at the University of Edinburgh from 2012 to 2022, developing it into one of the UK’s leading research centers. His research focuses on digital economy, data-driven design, and blockchain applications, advancing interdisciplinary collaboration and social innovation. Chris is also renowned for his application of design and data methodologies to social, environmental, and economic challenges. He has led several large-scale, complex projects in partnership with academia, industry, and the third sector. His achievements include founding the Regenerative Futures Research Institute and leading high-impact research initiatives like Creative Informatics and the DECaDE Centre for the Digital Economy.

• 2023–Present·RMIT University·Director of the Regenerative Futures Research Institute
  • Leading Australia's first research institute dedicated to regenerative systems, fostering interdisciplinary education, research collaborations, and community partnerships.
• 2022–2023·Edinburgh Futures Institute·Director
  • Spearheaded the transformation of Edinburgh’s Old Royal Infirmary into a world-class center for interdisciplinary research and teaching.
• 2018–2024·Creative Informatics·Project Lead
  • Led a £7.4M R&D project for the UK’s creative industries, driving the application of data-driven technologies in the creative sector.
• 2012–2022·University of Edinburgh Design Informatics Institute·Co-Director
  • Developed the institute into a leading UK center for design and data interaction research, securing over £21M in research funding.
• 2016–2020·OxChain Project·Principal Investigator
  • Directed a £1.1M research project to develop blockchain-based donation tools in collaboration with multiple international institutions.

• Date Unknown·University of Plymouth·PhD
  • Focused on research in design and digital technologies.