Education

PhD Typography and Graphic Communication, University of Reading, United Kingdom (2022)

MA Computer Games Art and Design (Valedictorian Orator) Goldsmiths, University of London, United Kingdom (2018)

BA Communications, Media, and Culture (Golden Key Int. Hons.) University of South Australia, Australia (2005)

Career

Assistant Editor of Visible Language Journal (2024–present)

Associate Professor of Communication, Information, and Digital Design at the School of Design, University of Leeds (2024–present)

Associate Director of the Professional Academy for Creative Enterprise (2023–present)

Deputy Head of School for Academic and Innovation at the School of Design, University of Leeds (2023–present)

Lecturer at the School of Design, University of Leeds (2022–2024)

Associate Lecturer at the Department of Typography and Graphic Communication, University of Reading (2019–2022)

Communications Director at CCIL Singapore (2013–2017)

Co-founder and Consultant at Quantico Singapore (2005–2013)

Research

AI and Ethics in Design Contexts: Courses for CPD (2025)

Khara, A. and Curcio, G.O.F. (2024) Slum-Driven Design: Inclusion and Incursion Around Essential Entrepreneurship in Brazil’s Urban Favelas. Interface Communication Review, 2 (2). pp.52-70. ISSN 2965-7474 (2024)

Department of Work & Pensions, United Kingdom: DWP Link Seminar: Fairness Design — A New Policy Layer for Designing Digital Government Forms (2024)

Arts and Ageing: The Role of Art and Everyday Aesthetics in Ageing Gracefully in Singapore (2024)

International Journal of Management and Applied Research: People-Centred Design Presentation. Lead presenter for co-spontaneity in higher education, at the special edition issue (2024)

Khara, A. and Lickiss, M. (2023) Designed Co-spontaneity: A New Model for Facilitating Pedagogic Practice, International Journal of Management and Applied Research, Vol. 10, No. 2, pp. 270-282 (2023)

Making Visualisation Scalable (MAVIS) for explaining machine learning classification models (2022–2026)

Joint Academic Board: Information Design in Pain Management (NHS Reading) University of Reading (2021–2022)

Awards

Early Career Excellence Award for Student Education (2024)

Teacher or Supervisor of the Year, University-Wide Winner (2024)

Teacher or Supervisor of the Year, AHC Faculty-Wide Winner (2024)

Ambassador of Singapore Silent Heroes Award: presented by The Hon. Lawrence Wong, Prime Minister of Singapore (2023)

Valedictorian Orator for the Graduating Cohort of 2018 at Goldsmiths, University of London (2018)

Star Change Maker Award, We Can! Global Campaign for Women, AWARE Singapore (2014)

Singapore Silent Heroes Award: Recognition of Branding and Design Excellence (2014)

Dean’s Merit List, University of South Australia (2004)

Dean’s Merit List, University of South Australia (2003)

Chancellor’s Merit List, University of South Australia (2003)

Golden Key International Honour Society, University of South Australia (2003)

Outstanding Achievement in First-Year Studies, International College of Hotel Management, Australia (2001)

Singapore Plain English Speaking Award: Winners, Runners-Up, and National Representatives (1999)