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Renata Leitão is an Assistant Professor in the Department of Human Centered Design at Cornell University. With extensive experience as a graphic designer and social design researcher, she focuses on intercultural participatory projects with Indigenous local communities. She leads the Pluriversal Futures Design Lab (PluriFutures), which is dedicated to fostering societal transformation for creating new and flourishing futures. Dr. Leitão's research delves into the interplay between the ways humans perceive the world and the physical environments they design. Her areas of expertise include empowerment for self-determination among Indigenous communities and redesigning design practices that contribute to sustainability. A dedicated academic, she has chaired and co-led the DRS Pluriversal Design Special Interest Group, an international research network promoting diverse design perspectives. Renata’s teaching includes courses on impactful graphics and ethical design aimed at positive change.
Department of Architecture