IN-PERSON: Applying Education

Dr Graham Cairns is an academic and author in the field of architecture who has written extensively on film, advertising and political communication. He has held Visiting Professor positions at universities in Spain, the UK, Mexico, the Gambia, South Africa and the US. He has led academic departments in the UK and the US. He has worked in architectural studios in London and Hong Kong and previously founded and ran a performing arts organisation, Hybrid Artworks, specialised in video installation and performance writing. He is author and editor of multiple books and articles on architecture as both a form of visual culture and a socio-political construct. He is currently director of the academic research organisation AMPS (Architecture, Media, Politics, Society), and Executive Editor of its associated journal Architecture_MPS.

Donna Braggins, M.A., is Interim Dean of Sheridan’s Faculty of Animation, Arts & Design, which is the largest art school in Canada. Recently honoured for 15 years of service at Sheridan, Donna has deep teaching and administrative experience as the Associate Dean for the Design, Illustration, and Photography cluster of programs. Her commitment to innovation, experiential learning, and pan-institutional projects are evident in Sheridan’s Innovation Accelerator, the launch of programs in emerging, interdisciplinary practices including the Experiential Design and the Interaction Design Honours Bachelor degree programs. Prior to Sheridan, Donna held senior leadership positions as an Art Director for Maclean’s and Canadian Business magazines, Corporate Art Director for Roger’s Media and industry leadership roles as Board member for the Registered Graphic Designers of Canada, President of the National Magazine Awards, Secretary for the Advertising and Design Club and Design Education lead for Magazines Canada.