Joanne Cys LFDIA

Joanne Cys is one of Australia’s greatest advocates for Design and the Design Industry. She holds a Bachelor of Arts in Interior Design, Master of Architecture and a PhD and is currently Professor and Head of School: Art, Architecture and Design in the Division of Education, Arts and Social Sciences at the University of South Australia.

Joanne’s long association with the Design Institute of Australia includes terms as SA President, National President (2008-2010), Convenor of the Australian Interior Design Awards (2004-) and Chair of the Hall of Fame Committee (2013-2015). She is a Life Fellow and Ambassador of the DIA and Co-chair of the Asia Pacific Space Designers Alliance Australia 2016 Conference Organising Committee. Joanne has also been a Board Member (2011-2014) of the International Federation of Interior Architects/Interior Designers (IFI) and Co-Chair (2011-2014) of the Global Interiors Education Open Forum (GIEOF).

Joanne’s research interests into the disciplinary sociology and directions of interior design practice and continuing professional education for design practitioners led to the development of the DIAs continuing professional development policy and education policy. Her research into design strategy led to the SA Government’s establishment of the Integrated Design Commission (now the Office of Design and Architecture SA). Past senior SA government Minister The Honourable John Hill has stated that Joanne’s work was instrumental and led to changes in the way government considers and managers urban development and planning issues.

In addition to her PhD, Joanne has authored and co-authored many publications on Interior Design and Architecture. She has also contributed extensively to professional design journals and spoken at international and national conferences.