NATALIA GULBRANSEN-DIAZ

The future demands hope and imagination. I’m passionate about deploying critical, design-led approaches to address complex social challenges, with particular focus on investigating how we can design with/and/for communities envisioning positive futures.

Through practice-led inquiry and real-world collaborations with Australian NPOs, I work to understand the conditions and relationships that enable design to be generative rather than extractive, bridging theory and application to create responsive, situated engagements that contribute to ongoing conversations about design's role in community and public life.

My recently completed PhD, Design with/and/for Value, explored how design can support non-profit organisations in realising their collective ambitions beyond economic measures.

Email
CV
Publications [Google Scholar]

Research
  1. Design with/and/for Value
  2. Waste to Resilience: Sanitation against Stunting and Climate Vulnerability in Indonesian Informal Coastal Areas
  3. Computational Creativity in the Classroom: Student-Led Co-Design of Generative AI Pedagogies in Design
  4. Sonic Street Technologies: Australia
  5. Broadening Horizons: Using curiosity to diversify behaviour
  6. Usability Issues in Self-Service Technologies
  7. COVID-19 Smart IoT Screening System Pilot at Sydney Children’s Hospitals Network
  8. Introspect
CV
Profile Natalia Gulbransen-Diaz brings extensive experience as both researcher and practitioner. Her work spans collaborative research projects in health systems, urban innovation, and design pedagogy, alongside industry experience in user experience design and cultural institutions. As an emerging researcher with a growing publication record, she demonstrates particular expertise in investigating how designerly approaches can work with and within existing organisational practices to support transformative social action. Her student-centred teaching philosophy and commitment to mentorship reflect her broader dedication to fostering the next generation of socially conscious designers.

EducationDoctor of Philosophy (Design)
The University of Sydney
2020–2025

Bachelor of Design Computing (Honours, First Class)
The University of Sydney
2016–2019



Employment [Research]
Throughout her PhD candidature, Natalia has demonstrated a sustained commitment to research excellence through extensive Research Assistant experience across diverse domains, spanning health systems, design pedagogy, urban innovation, and social impact. Her passion for research is evidenced by active involvement in multiple concurrent projects, developing skills in collaborative research, interdisciplinary inquiry, and knowledge translation. This comprehensive research experience has resulted in a strong publication record, with multiple peer-reviewed articles published or under review in international journals and conferences. Her research portfolio demonstrates expertise in both qualitative and theoretical investigation, from COVID-19 health screening systems to computational creativity in design education, reflecting the ability to contribute meaningfully to varied research contexts and collaborate effectively with diverse research teams.Research Assistant: 2020–Present, Sydney School of Architecture, Design and Planning (The University of Sydney), NSW, Australia

  • June 2025–Present: Waste to Resilience: Sanitation Against Stunting and Climate Vulnerability in Informal Coastal Areas
  • June 2025–Present: Health and housing in future cities: designing for economic inclusion in Western Sydney
  • June 2025–Present: Developing Collaborative Learning in Design Thinking
  • 2024: Computational Creativity in the Classroom: Student-Led Co-Design of Generative AI Pedagogies in Design
  • 2024: Sonic Street Technologies: Australia
  • 2020–2023: Broadening Horizons: Using curiosity to diversify behaviour
  • 2021–2022: Usability Issues in Self-Service Technologies
  • 2020–2021: COVID-19 Smart IoT Screening System Pilot at Sydney Children’s Hospitals Network


Employment [Teaching]
Natalia has spent 7 years honing a student-centred approach to design education that emphasises mentorship, critical thinking, and real-world application. Her teaching philosophy centres on cultivating passion and curiosity within the classroom, encouraging students to integrate their personal interests with coursework. With experience spanning foundational design theory to advanced strategic leadership courses, she demonstrates versatility in adapting teaching methods to meet diverse student needs. Her approach integrates theoretical foundations with practical application, drawing from her industry experience and research in social innovation to provide students with authentic insights into professional design practice.
2019 – Present, Sydney School of Architecture, Design and Planning (The University of Sydney), NSW, Australia
  • User Experience Design Studio (DECO2014)  2019–2022, 2025
  • Design Theory and Culture (DECO1001), 2020–2021, 2025
  • Professional Design Practice (DECO2020), 2025
  • Design for Social Impact (DESN3003), 2025
  • Strategic Design and Leadership (DESN9003), 2025
  • Qualitative Research in Design (DECO2019), 2022–2023, 2025
  • Digital Health Innovation and Implementation (BIDH5000), 2022–2023, 2025
  • Design Processes and Methods (DECO1006), 2021
  • Design Innovation Studio (Previously DESN2015), 2021
  • Interaction Design Studio (DECO2200), 2020
  • Interactive Product Design Studio (DECO3200), 2020


Employment [Industry]
Prior to her academic career, Natalia gained valuable industry experience across design, research, and cultural sectors. Her professional background spans user experience research, visual design, and digital innovation, providing her with practical insights into real-world design challenges and client collaboration. 
Graphic Designer,
Westpac (Sales and Service Transformation). (2019 - 2020)
Developed visual design solutions to illustrate strategic opportunities across Westpac's Business Bank. Synthesised insights to create and deliver market-leading sales service experiences and supporting artefacts that enhance customer engagement.

UX Researcher,
Small Multiples. (October – December 2018)
Conducted UX research including competitive market analysis and audience research while collaborating directly with agency co-founder. Applied various UX methodologies to inform design decisions and strategic recommendations.

Outreach Officer,
National Library of Australia (Trove). (2017)
Contributed to a new creative team at Trove through conceptualisation, illustration, and digital tool development. Conceptualised and illustrated the inaugural Trove Story series and redesigned the Trove Exhibition Creator tool, presenting the project to all National Library employees. The tool supported the September 2017 Dombrovskis: Journey into the Wild exhibition, demonstrating practical application of design thinking in cultural heritage digital platforms.


Service and Volunteering
Growing up in a small town in regional Queensland, Natalia learned early the importance of community and mutual support. Having benefited from exceptional mentorship, scholarships, and institutional guidance, she is committed to contributing back to the communities that have shaped her. Her service work reflects a belief that strong communities are built through inclusive leadership, advocacy, and earnest participation–values that guide her approach to supporting fellow students and fostering academic environments where everyone can thrive.HDR Student Representative,
Sydney School of Architecture, Design and Planning (The University of Sydney) (June 2023 – 2024)
  • Secured $15,000 funding increase (43% boost) for HDRSS research support pool and established quarterly funding structure, ensuring continuous access to research resources for 100+ PhD students
  • Launched comprehensive event program including biannual Writing Retreats, monthly community lunches, and annual PhD Retreat – all new initiatives receiving exceptional student feedback and requests for continuation
  • Advocated across multiple School committees (Student Staff Liaison, Research Education, Research Committee), driving policy changes that enhanced HDR experience through evidence-based student surveys and feedback systems
  • Collaborated directly with Associate Dean of Research Education to transform student priorities (funding transparency, supervisor training, progression support) into tangible administrative improvements

Publishing Designer and Editor,
Trivium: Intercollegiate Journal. (2018)
Managing editor of the inaugural peer-reviewed interdisciplinary publication fostering academic dialogue across the University of Sydney’s Residential College. Orchestrated the design and print process, resulting in 100 physical journal copies distributed throughout the University.


SkillsDesign & Research
Design Research
Human-Centered Design
Design Futuring
Co-Design Facilitation
D esign process management, 
Interface Design Evaluation
Workshop Design & Facilitation

Professional
Complex problem solving
Technical communication
Leadership
Project management
Stakeholder management
V isual communication


AwardsResearch Training Program Scholarship (Australian Government): 2021 – 2023
Awarded to support both domestic and international students undertaking postgraduate research degrees by providing financial assistance for tuition fees, living allowances, and other related costs.

Good Design Award Gold: 2020
Introspect, designed and researched by Natalia Gulbransen-Diaz during her Bachelor of Design Computing (Hons. I), received a prestigious Good Design Award Gold Accolade in the Next Gen: Social Impact category in recognition for outstanding design and innovation. Awarded entries have not only met the criteria for Good Design but exceed them.

University of Sydney Academic Merit Prize: 2018
The University of Sydney Academic Merit Prize was established in 2007 by the university to recognise meritorious undergraduate students. Of 60,000 students, only 600 prizes are awarded annually to acknowledge and promote student academic excellence and provide formal recognition of their achievements.

Innovation in Design, Bachelor of Design Computing Graduate Award: 2018
Awarded by the platinum sponsors of the D18 Graduate Showcase – Syple – for a final project demonstrating innovation and excellence in the discipline of Design.

Vice-Chancellor’s Global Mobility Scholarship: 2018
Awarded to University of Sydney students who have been nominated to attend the University of Edinburgh for one semester, on the basis of academic merit.

Dean’s List of Excellence in Academic Performance: 2017, 2018
The undergraduate School of Architecture, Design and Planning Dean’s List for Academic excellence was established to recognise the outstanding achievements of its undergraduate students. It recognises the top 5% of students in the School of Architecture, Design and Planning degree programs, based upon performance in their courses.

Vere Hole Scholarship: 2017, 2018
Awarded by The Women’s College within the University of Sydney on the basis of academic merit, as well as co-curricular and community involvement.

Henry Edward Kater Prize: 2017
Awarded by The Women’s College within the University of Sydney for academic results in 2017.

Katharine and Thyne Reid Memorial Scholarship: 2016
Awarded by The Women’s College within the University of Sydney on the basis of academic  merit, as well as co-curricular and community involvement.

ADF Long Tan Youth Leadership and Teamwork Award: 2015
Recognises students who demonstrate leadership and teamwork within both the school and  the broader community and who display strong values–such as doing one’s best, respect for others and “mateship”–that are integral to Australian society.





Last Updated 24.10.37
©2026 Natalia Gulbransen-Diaz