Venkatesh RajamanickamHead, IDC School of Design at IIT BombayVenkatesh Rajamanickam is a HCI designer, educator and researcher who leads the Information Design Lab, exploring data and design through computation and emerging technologies. His recent work examines how GenAI is transforming design practice and what these changes mean for design education.
Anijo MathewDean, Iovine and Young Academy of Innovation at the University of Southern CaliforniaAnijo Mathew is Dean of the Iovine and Young Academy at the University of Southern California. Formerly Dean of the Institute of Design at Illinois Tech, he researches technology-driven innovation. He founded the tech startup Vamonde and advises global organizations such as Godrej and the Pranava Institute (India), Far Eastern Group (Taiwan), and Dubai Future Foundation and Finablr (UAE).
Anirudha JoshiProfessor, IDC School of Design at IIT BombayAnirudha Joshi is Professor at IDC School of Design, IIT Bombay, where he has taught since 1998. His research focuses on Human-Computer Interaction, particularly inclusive design and interaction for Indian needs. He has worked across healthcare, education, accessibility, banking and language technologies, and served as IDC Head from 2022–2025.
Rahul KulkarniChief Technologist, DoNew and SamagraRahul is a technologist and product leader exploring how AI can transform the design of products, services and institutions. A former Google product leader, he is Co-founder and Chief Technologist at DoNew and Chief Technologist at Samagra, where he combines technology, design and systems thinking to address complex problems.
Geetika KambliManaging Partner, Future Factory and Founder, HumanifyGeetika is a Managing Partner at Future Factory and the Founder of Humanify, an AI research platform and Inc42 Top 30 startup. A former Unilever and J&J marketer, she founded the Centre for Behavioural Research in 2005 and champions gender-inclusive workplaces across India and serves on NASSCOM’s Responsible AI panel.
Haven Lin-KirkDean, Roski School of Art and Design at the University of Southern CaliforniaHaven Lin-Kirk is Dean of the USC Roski School of Art and Design, previously its vice dean, where she helped create the MFA in design. An award-winning designer, she has worked with clients including The Los Angeles Times and Toyota, received an NEA grant, and won eight Maggie Awards.
Nandita AbrahamDean, BITS Design SchoolNandita Abraham is the Founding Dean of BITS Design School, Mumbai, under BITS Pilani, an Institution of Eminence. With three decades of experience in design education and institutional leadership, she writes on design as a lens for India’s systems. She serves on FICCI’s Higher Education Committee and has led social-impact initiatives like the Tihar Jail Fashion Project.
Amit KundalDean, School of Design, Art, Performance at FLAME UniversityAmit Kundal’s approach to design education connects design, the liberal arts, and technology, helping students understand people, question assumptions, and anticipate the consequences of their design decisions. He holds a PhD in Human-Centred Design from IIT Kanpur. His research explores empathy in design and the evolving role of AI in design practice and education. He has also been invited to teach at the Royal College of Art × Design for Good Academy.
