EXPERIENCE

Dr Dolly Daou has 25 years of academic and industry experience leading global academic programs and non-profit associations and initiating practice-based research projects for medium-large organisations in Australasia, Europe and the Middle East. Dr Daou developed and implemented a global design strategy across continents and sectors that links higher education, with industry and government to influence policies for positive impact.

Combining her multidisciplinary industry and academic expertise Dr Daou developed bespoke design strategy workshops that transform theoretical research into impactful commercial outcomes with ecological benefit to influence strategies and policies across sectors. Dr Daou also established academic design programs across continents and led their transition.

Fluent in English, French, and Arabic

WORKSHOPS SERVICES
1-2 day sprint . 1 week . 1 month . 6 months
Online . hybrid . Face-to-face .

Design methodology/thinking workshops
All workshops combine design/science/business methodology with tangible outcome, focusing on design strategy and on improving innovation portfolios

1. COMMERCIAL
   Design/science/business methodology with ecological and commercial outcome for organisations, aligning strategies adaptable to all sectors
2. EDUCATION
   From early school to post-graduate levels with socio-economic and ecological impact
3. COMMUNITY
   The general community, to raise awareness to climate change or on design practices
4. PROFESSIONAL
   Executive education workshops, webinars or seminars training for professionals looking to implement theoretical research into their business strategy
   **quotes will be provided based on individual briefs and client requirements

EXPERIENCE

2025 – Present. Member of the Board of Advisors to the Management for Cindrebay Technical and Occupational, Skills Training LLC (Dubai)

2018 – Present. Co-Founder and co-chair of Food Think Tank Research Working Group at Cumulus Association

2023 – 2024. Head of Master of Design at NACAA (1st joint school between l’École de design, Nante Atlantique and China Academy of Art, Hangzhou)

2020 – Present. Founding Director of Dolly Daou Design Strategy.

2020 – 2021. Community Manager for a team of start-ups at the European Innovation Council (EIC), European Commission

2018 – 2020. Director of Food Design Lab (food research and innovation) working on practice-led projects across disciplines and between academia and practice for academic, commercial and ecological benefits

2017 – 2018. Director of the non-profit Association of Professional Interior designers/Architecture (MENA) in the Middle East and North Africa. Awarded the title Dubai Congress Ambassador by Dubai Business Events

2013 – 2018. Invited Quality Assurance reviewer for TEQSA and for international quality assurance agencies for higher education

2012 – 2016. Treasurer of the Board of Directors for Interior Design/Architecture Educators Association, Australia and New Zealand

2011 – 2016. Program Director of the Interior Architecture Program at Swinburne University of Technology. I established the program and led its transition and rebranding in Australia and globally

2000 – 2011. Tutor and Lecturer at the University of South Australia in School of Art, Design and architecture

EDUCATION

Doctorate of Philosophy University of South Australia. Architecture. Interior Architecture. Urban Design. Anthropology

Beirut: The Absent vision. The effect of war and violence on cities, exploring the city centre as an interior place that transforms according to people’s memories and everyday events. Comparative case studies, Beirut, Berlin, Sarajevo and Mostar  

Bachelor of Interior Design University of South Australia