Swinburne Design Factory Melbourne appoints new Innovation Fellow and Acting Director

In summary
Maureen Thurston has been appointed as an Innovation Fellow and the new Acting Director of Swinburne Design Factory Melbourne
A global leader in innovating, by design, Maureen will help propel Swinburne’s innovation capabilities for industry, researchers and early-stage startups
Swinburne Design Factory Melbourne is a world-leading innovation lab, the third founding Design Factory in a network of global partners
Maureen Thurston has been appointed as an Innovation Fellow and the new Acting Director of Swinburne University of Technology’s Design Factory Melbourne. A critical thinker known for her ability to navigate ambiguity and align strategic intent, Ms Thurston comes to Swinburne from Aurecon, where she was Chief Experience Officer.
Swinburne Design Factory Melbourne is a world-leading innovation lab that helps researchers explore potential market applications for their discoveries, collaborates with companies to solve their pain points and offers students hands-on experience with real-world problems.
In 2024, Swinburne Design Factory Melbourne engaged 278 students across 43 degrees, who worked with 15 industry partners to solve complex challenges and build innovation-ready talent.
Swinburne Design Factory Melbourne also collaborates on the university’s ExperiTECH and Market Navigator programs, helping academics take the first steps on the commercialisation journey.
Swinburne’s Dr Werner van der Merwe, Vice President, Innovation of Enterprise, welcomed Ms Thurston to the new role.
“Ms Thurston’s appointment is a testament to her deep experience in innovation and her commitment to driving an enterprise-wide entrepreneurial spirit. Her leadership will be an asset in shaping Swinburne as a leading university of technology, innovation and entrepreneurship,” said Dr van der Merwe.
“Developing an innovation skillset has never been more vital. Ms Thurston’s appointment will help unleash this for our industry partners, researchers, students and alumni.”
Playing at the intersection of innovation and transformation
Ms Thurston’s work sits at the intersection of commerce, creativity and culture.
She has built her career on the belief that design is an instrument for transformation. “Design is the discipline that drives innovative outcomes,” said Thurston.
“What a privilege to step into the role as Acting Director of Swinburne’s Design Factory Melbourne. This is an extraordinary opportunity to unlock the potential buried within industries’ juiciest problems,” she said.
An industrial designer, educator, entrepreneur, author, and experienced strategic advisor, Ms Thurston has 40 years’ experience delivering relevant value propositions that address the challenges embedded in market disruption and organisational transformation. She looks forward to bringing the best of her experience to Swinburne Design Factory Melbourne.
-
Media Enquiries
Related articles

- Design
- Technology
Swinburne startups driving change in tech and sustainability
Eleven startups pitched their ventures after completing Swinburne’s 2025 Luminate Program.

- University
Swinburne community members recognised in 2025 King’s Birthday Honours List
Swinburne community members have been recognised in the 2025 King’s Birthday Honours List, including Swinburne National Centre for Reconciliation Practice advisory board member Karen Milward and Honorary Doctorate recipient the late Dr Murray Johns.

- University
- Film and television
From Melbourne to the Tiwi Islands: LINGER brings Indigenous stories to the big screen
Indigenous students from Swinburne’s Advanced Diploma of Screen and Media lead a powerful collaborative film project exploring dispossession, identity, and resilience.
.jpg/_jcr_content/renditions/cq5dam.web.256.144.jpeg)
- Education
Teachers are increasingly leaving the job. Upskilling could hold the key to Australia’s educational future.
Swinburne's Professor James Verdon writes for the Herald Sun.

- Student News
- University
Swinburne placement students to receive financial support
Eligible Swinburne students will soon be able to participate in a new government payment scheme to help ease the financial burden associated with unpaid placements. The Commonwealth Prac Payment (CPP) is a $331.65 weekly payment for the duration of mandatory, unpaid placement, available from 1 July 2025.
-
- Design
- Technology
Swinburne startups driving change in tech and sustainability
Eleven startups pitched their ventures after completing Swinburne’s 2025 Luminate Program.
Monday 02 June 2025 -
- University
Swinburne community members recognised in 2025 King’s Birthday Honours List
Swinburne community members have been recognised in the 2025 King’s Birthday Honours List, including Swinburne National Centre for Reconciliation Practice advisory board member Karen Milward and Honorary Doctorate recipient the late Dr Murray Johns.
Tuesday 10 June 2025 -
- University
- Film and television
From Melbourne to the Tiwi Islands: LINGER brings Indigenous stories to the big screen
Indigenous students from Swinburne’s Advanced Diploma of Screen and Media lead a powerful collaborative film project exploring dispossession, identity, and resilience.
Thursday 05 June 2025 -
- Education
Teachers are increasingly leaving the job. Upskilling could hold the key to Australia’s educational future.
Swinburne's Professor James Verdon writes for the Herald Sun.
Friday 23 May 2025 -
- Student News
- University
Swinburne placement students to receive financial support
Eligible Swinburne students will soon be able to participate in a new government payment scheme to help ease the financial burden associated with unpaid placements. The Commonwealth Prac Payment (CPP) is a $331.65 weekly payment for the duration of mandatory, unpaid placement, available from 1 July 2025.
Thursday 08 May 2025