PhD in Universal Design in Design School Kolding Denmark

Summary

The Kolding School of Design is inviting proposals for PhD projects focusing on Universal Design. The PhD project is supported by the Bevica Foundation and will be affiliated with the Lab for Social Design. The position is a full-time PhD position for three years, with an expected start date of 1 February 2027 or as soon as possible thereafter. The application deadline is 18 October 2026. The PhD project is expected to explore new roles and practices of design through design research related to Universal Design.

Key Facts

Employer	Design School Kolding
Department	Lab for Social Design
Position Type	PhD
Discipline	Design
Research Area	Universal Design, Inclusive Design and Social Design
Degree Required	Master's degree
Funding	Bevica Foundation
Contract Duration	Three years
Language	English
Deadline	2026-10-18
Required Documents	PhD research project description, CV, Diplomas or transcript of records, Portfolio

About the Project

The PhD project should focus on Universal Design, and explore new roles and practices of design through design research. The project can be situated within any design discipline, and should include a clear and plausible research question, supported by sub-questions, and a preliminary research plan.

Key Responsibilities

• Explore new roles and practices of design through design research related to Universal Design
• Teaching is also part of the PhD position, creating opportunities to integrate research experiments and background research into courses and supervision

Required Skills

• General understanding of the Universal Design field
• Ability to produce written academic or professional output
• Fluent written and spoken English

Who Should Apply

Applicants with a master's degree in design or a related field, and a general understanding of the Universal Design field.

Benefits

• Opportunity to work with the Bevica Foundation's extensive network in disability support and advocacy
• Participation in the national network for PhD students and postdocs working in Universal Design in Denmark

About the Employer

The Kolding School of Design is a design school located in Kolding, Denmark. The school has a research unit called the Lab for Social Design, which focuses on social design, social innovation and social inclusion.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the application deadline?

18 October 2026

What is the expected start date of the PhD position?

1 February 2027 or as soon as possible thereafter

What is the duration of the PhD position?

Three years