Beaconhouse National University (BNU)

Durre Shehwar Ali is a multidisciplinary designer and educator, currently serving as an Assistant Professor at the Mariam Dawood School of Visual Arts and Design (MDSVAD), Beaconhouse National University (BNU). She is also the Program Coordinator for the BA (Hons.) Interdisciplinary Expanded Design & Art program, operating under the UNESCO Chair on Inclusion Through Arts.

She holds a Bachelor’s degree in Industrial Design from the National University of Sciences & Technology (NUST), where she was recognized with the High Achiever’s Award. She later earned a Master’s in Design with a Research Specialization from the Bern University of the Arts, Switzerland, supported by a Hirschmann Scholarship.

Durre’s research examines the complex dynamics of power, politics, and neocolonial practices in design and pedagogy. She also explores the impact of solutionism and frictionless environments on democratic systems and public spaces, investigating the intersections of design, technology, and socio-political structures.

As an Industrial Designer and Researcher, Durre has collaborated with international organizations to tackle critical social and healthcare challenges. Her work includes projects on paraplegia, clean water solutions for urban slums, and learning platforms for underserved children.

In addition to her role at BNU, she serves as an external thesis advisor for MA Design students at the Bern University of Applied Sciences. She is also an active member of the International Social Design Network, where she contributes to shaping global social design pedagogy, practice, and dialogue.

• MA, Design (Research Specialization), University of the Arts Bern, Switzerland, Recipient of Hirschmann Grant
• Bachelor of Industrial Design, National University of Science & Technology, Pakistan, Recipient of High Achiever’s Award

• Assistant Professor, Beaconhouse National University (BNU), Lahore, Pakistan (2023-Present)
• Editorial Research Lead, IEDAs: A Journal of Transdisciplinary Art & Design under UNESCO (2022-Present)
• Program Coordinator (UNESCO x BNU), BA (Hons.) Interdisciplinary Expanded Design & Art (IEDA) (2022-Present)
• Graduate Thesis Supervisor, Hochschule der Künste Bern HKB, Switzerland (2024-Present)
• Member & Researcher, Social Design Network (2024-Present)
• Industrial Designer, Farm 4.0, Boston, NY, USA (2017-2018)
• Branding Executive, Nanosoft Technologies, Karachi, Pakistan (2017-2018)
• Design Lead, Sahara iO, Islamabad, Pakistan (2016-2017)
• Communication Designer, Taleemabad by Orenda, Islamabad, Pakistan (2015)
• Design Researcher, Sukoon Waters, Karachi, Pakistan (2018)

• Member, Social Design Network
• Hirschmann Scholarship
• NUST High Achiever’s Award
• National Award from NOWPDP for designing a trike for paraplegics

Editorials

• Editorial Board Member, IEDAs: A Journal for Transdisciplinary Art & Design Practices (First issue: 2025)
• ArtNow Review: Domestic Provocations (2023)

Presentations & Workshops

• Lotacracy: The Political Odyssey of Electoral Symbols in Pakistan – Design History Society Seminar (2024)
• Design Disparities on Refugee Experiences: Switzerland & Pakistan – Politics of Machine Conference, Aachen (2024)
• Jugaar Thinking: Creative Solutions – Design Summit 01, Lahore (2024)
• Decolonizing Industrial Design Education – WIDO X NUST Panelist (2021)
• The Censorship on Creativity in Pakistan – Kuch Khaas, Islamabad (2016)

Moderation & Conferences

• IC-WEES Conference, NUST (2024)
• Politics of Machine International Conference (2023)
• AMPS International Conference (2022)

Exhibitions

• Jugaar: A Manifesto – Design Summit 01, Lahore (2024)
• Zero Human Dining; A Cold Efficiency – HKB Finale Exhibition, Bern (2019)

Thesis Juries

• Indus Valley School of Art & Architecture (2023, 2024)
• National University of Sciences & Technology (NUST) (2022)
• Habib University (2021)

• Email Address: durre.shehwar@bnu.edu.pk
• Ext Number: 279