Swinburne Design Factory Melbourne appoints new Innovation Fellow and Acting Director

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.