Rate My Professor Sam Canning

Dr. Sam Canning serves as Senior Lecturer and Director of the Industrial Design programs at Griffith University on the Gold Coast campus, within the School of Engineering and Built Environment under Griffith Sciences. Originally from the United Kingdom, he relocated to Australia and obtained a Bachelor of Industrial Design from Queensland University of Technology in Brisbane, commencing his studies in 2001. His academic career at Griffith University began with a lecturing position at the Queensland College of Art, where he pioneered approaches fusing art and engineering to advance cutting-edge design practices. In his current role, he oversees the Bachelor of Industrial Design program, emphasizing hands-on learning through making and innovative design processes.

Canning's research specializations encompass industrial design, human-centred design methodologies, hybrid manufacturing techniques, and practical applications in medical devices and rehabilitation engineering. A prominent example is his 2020 development of a revolutionary low-tech ventilator constructed from everyday materials such as bicycle parts and a bucket, specifically engineered for deployment in developing countries amid the COVID-19 crisis, which garnered international media coverage for its potential life-saving impact. He contributed to the invention of a Functional Electrical Stimulation (FES) applicator, granted Australian patent AU2021106863A4 in 2021 in collaboration with Griffith University affiliates. Key publications include 'A human-centred design approach to hybrid manufacturing of a patient-specific carbon fibre wrist orthosis' (2023, co-authored with K. Fitzgerald, G. Tansley, et al., Journal of Manufacturing and Materials Processing), highlighting innovative orthotic solutions, and 'Changing the emphasis of learning through making in Technology Education' (2019), exploring pedagogical shifts in design education. Additional scholarly contributions address 3D printing, digital making, and eLearning in design curricula. Canning was nominated for Griffith University's Vice Chancellor's Research Excellence Awards in 2020. He actively collaborates on interdisciplinary projects, including with the Interventional Neurosurgery Service, and mentors student ventures such as the 2021 social enterprise Splinter, co-founded with graduates Natalie Haskell, Kaecee Fitzgerald, and Natasha Dennis. His work influences design education and practical prototyping, bridging academia and real-world applications in engineering and health sectors.