Professor of Design for Sustainability Transformation

Prof. Dr. Daniela Peukert

Originally trained as a product designer, Daniela now works at the intersection of design, sustainability, and transdisciplinary research. At Tomorrow University, she helps shape the future of education for sustainability transformation.

Biography

Dr. Daniela Peukert is a Professor of Design for Sustainability Transformation at Tomorrow University of Applied Sciences. With a background in product design and a PhD in Sustainability Sciences, she focuses on developing sustainable, human- and planet-centered products that address complex societal and environmental challenges. Daniela is an expert in design thinking, user experience research, and participatory design processes that foster systemic change. Through her teaching and leadership, she equips learners with a prototyping mindset and empowers them to become agents of sustainability transformations.
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Previously Worked At
Leuphana University Lüneburg, Design Report
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Logo Impact MBA - Tomorrow University of Applied Sciences
Logo Impact MBA - Tomorrow University of Applied Sciences
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Research Profile

Daniela’s research explores how design can enable sustainability transformations through transdisciplinary and more-than-human approaches. She investigates how materials, prototypes, and technologies can act as metaphors, mediators and translators in processes of knowledge co-production that include non-human perspectives. Her work combines design research, sustainability science, and emerging technologies to explore embodied, tangible, and multisensory ways of knowing. Through real-world collaborations, she develops theoretical and methodological contributions as well as actionable recommendations that support transformative, planet-centered design practices.

List of Papers

2023 Taimur, S., Peukert, D., Pearce, B., „Design Thinking“. In: Philipp, T., Schmohl, T. (eds) „Handbook Transdisciplinary Learning“, transcript, Bielefeld (in print).

2023 Caniglia, G., Freeth, R., Luederitz, C. …, Peukert, D., … et al. „Practical wisdom and virtue ethics for knowledge co-production in sustainability science“, Nature Sustainability, https://doi.org/10.1038/s41893-022-01040-1

2022 Peukert, D., „Material metaphors – an approach to collaborative knowledge production in transdisciplinary sustainability research “, In Lockton, D., Lenzi, S., Hekkert, P., Oak, A., Sádaba, J., Lloyd, P. (eds.), DRS2022: Bilbao, 25 June - 3 July, Bilbao/Spain. https://doi.org/10.21606/drs.2022.775

2021 Peukert, D., Lam, D.P.M., Horcea-Milcu, A.I., Lang, D.J., „Facilitating collaborative processes in transdisciplinary research using design prototyping“, Journal of Design Research.

2021 Peukert, D., Vilsmaier, U., „Collaborative design prototyping in transdisciplinary research: An approach to heterogeneity and unknowns“, Futures.

2020 Fazey, I., Schäpke, N., Caniglia, G., …, Peukert, D., … et al. *„Transforming knowledge systems for life on Earth: Visions of future systems and how to get there.“*Energy Research & Social Science.

2020 Meyer, E., Peukert, D., „Designing a transformative epistemology of the problematic. A perspective for transdisciplinary sustainability research.“ Social Epistemology.

2019 Peukert, D., Vilsmaier, U., „Entwurfsbasierte Interventionen in der transdisziplinären Forschung“. In: Ukowitz M., Hübner R. (eds) „Interventionsforschung“, p. 227 – 250. Springer, Wiesbaden (ISBN 978-3-658-22047-1).

2019 Lam, D.P.M., Horcea-Milcu, A.I., …, Peukert, D., … et al., „Three principles for co- designing sustainability intervention strategies: Experiences from Southern Transylvania.“ Ambio.

2019 Fam, D., Clarke, E., Freeth, R., …, Peukert, D., … et al., „Interdisciplinary and trans- disciplinary research and practice: balancing expectations of the ‘old’ academy with the future model of universities as ‘problem solvers’.“ Higher Education Quarterly.

2019 Fischer, J., Horcea-Milcu, A.I., Lang, D.J, et al. „Sustainability Initiatives in Transylvania“. In: „Balance Brings Beauty – Strategies for a Sustainable Southern Transylvania“. Pensoft, Sofia (ISBN 978-954-642-946-9).

2019 Peukert, D., „ReThink – ReStructure – ReConnect“. In: „(Bio) Diversitätskorridore“. Leuphana Universität Lüneburg, Lüneburg (ISBN 978-3-935786-73-7).

2018 Peukert, D., Augsten, A., „Reflecting on the Roles and Skill Set of Designers and Design Researchers“, In: Swiss Design Network (2018) „Unfrozen – a design research reader by the Swiss Design Network“, p. 143 - 150, Triest Verlag, Zurich, CH, (ISBN 978-3-03863-032-6).

2017 Peukert, D., „Co-creating transformative processes – a designerly approach“, In: „Proceedings of Transformations Conference 2017“, p. 22-23, Dundee/UK.

2016 Augsten, A., Peukert, D., et.al., „Today’s and tomorrow’s design researcher: reinventing the intersection“, In: B. Elzenbaumer et al., eds. „PhD by Design – Instant Journal #3 – Exploring what the future holds practice-based PhDs“, p. 50-51.

2015 Peukert, D., „Design methods as integrators in transdisciplinary research processes“, in: B. Elzenbaumer et al., eds. „PhD by Design – Instant Journal #2 – Researching across difference“ (2015), p. 28 – 29.

Consulting / Entrepreneurship Project

2014 - 2016: Co-Founder of the Design Research Group design:transfer, Hamburg/Berlin

    Thesis Supervised

    Cover of a thesis.

    Title of the Thesis

    First & Last Name
    Impact Master of Science
    Konrad joined Tomorrow University to pivot from corporate leadership into purpose-driven impact. Through the MBA, he deepened his expertise in tech and sustainability while gaining the confidence to embrace a new mission: amplifying change through strategy and storytelling. His journey includes launching the SDG Ambition Guide and producing films that inspire climate action.
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    Teaching at Tomorrow University

    Programs

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    Skills You Can Learn

    Customer Development

    Design theory

    Design methods - insights into design practice

    Design-oriented transdisciplinary methodologies as transformative research and learning

    Generative Design Research Methods

    Introduction to Product Design

    Measuring, Learning, Iterating

    Product Development & Prototyping

    Transforming the SDGs

    Transdisciplinarity - Digital and Designtheoretical Perspectives

    Orientation Group Challenge

    Visual techniques

    Visualize your visions - narrative science communication

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