Nicholas Rhodes Appointed Head of the Institute of Design, Product and Material

Professor Nicholas Rhodes from Central Saint Martins in London will become the head of the new Institute of Design, Product and Material at the Royal Danish Academy. Nicholas will assume the position in August 2025.

Nicholas Rhodes is an experienced academic and design consultant with over 20 years of experience advancing design education and fostering industry collaboration. 

He is very much looking forward to being part of the design programme at the Royal Danish Academy and to contributing to its further development in collaboration with staff and students.

“The Royal Danish Academy is a standard-bearer of design excellence, with a legacy that has shaped the foundations of modern design practice. I admire its exceptional contributions to architecture, design, and the arts - not only in Denmark but across the globe”, Nicholas Rhodes states.

“Joining this esteemed institution is both an honour and an exciting opportunity. I look forward to working alongside its talented community of educators, researchers, and students to co-create new possibilities for design in a turbulent world, bridging tradition with innovation and shaping futures with purpose and imagination.”

A strong profile for the new institute

Dean of design, Mathilde Aggebo emphasises, that Nicholas Rhodes will play a key role in sharpening the profile of the institute for Design, Product and Material while also contributing to the overall development of design at the Academy.

“I am incredibly pleased that Nicholas is joining us. He is an excellent match for the new institute, bringing extensive experience from academia and a strong international network. In addition, he has many years of professional industry experience, which will be an important focus area in light of the upcoming Master's programme reform. The development of design calls for both a rigorous disciplinary understanding of design and forward-looking visions for how design can contribute to shape a sustainable future. I very much look forward to welcoming Nicholas to the Academy.”

About Nicholas Rhodes

As Programme Director at Central Saint Martins, University of the Arts London, Nicholas Rhodes has pioneered the development of the MA Design for Industry 5.0, a leading postgraduate programme blending ethical design, industrial innovation, and purpose-led entrepreneurship.

Nicholas Rhodes is deeply committed to cross-sector collaboration. He has led more than 350 Knowledge Exchange projects with global organizations in the commercial, cultural, and social enterprise sectors. He has also worked with prominent industry partners and governmental bodies in Europe, Asia, the Americas, and the Caribbean.

He is a co-founder of the Global Design Faculty, a platform for international collaboration between higher education institutions in Europe and Asia, and the creator of Design Transforms, a multidisciplinary platform exploring the scope of design in transforming societal challenges. His academic interests centre on Knowledge Exchange, innovation, and the evolving role of design in shaping sustainable futures.