E&PDE 2026: Engineering & Product Design Education

The 28th International Conference on Engineering & Product Design Education (E&PDE 2026) is an international conference bringing together educators, researchers, students, designers and industry professionals to explore the future of engineering and product design education.

The conference will take place on 3–4 September 2026 at the University of Bristol, Clifton Campus, United Kingdom. The event is organised through the Design Education Special Interest Group of The Design Society, in partnership with the Institution of Engineering Designers.

With its theme, “Exploring Diversity in Engineering and Product Design Education,” E&PDE 2026 will examine how education can prepare future designers and engineers to work effectively in increasingly diverse, complex and technology-driven environments.

Conference Theme

The central theme of E&PDE 2026 focuses on diversity within engineering and product design education. Modern design increasingly requires professionals to understand different users, cultures, abilities, experiences and perspectives.

The conference will provide opportunities to discuss how educational institutions can encourage inclusive approaches to design while preparing students for professional environments that require collaboration across disciplines.

Participants can explore how diversity can influence creativity, innovation, problem-solving and the development of products and services that meet the needs of wider communities.

Engineering and Product Design Education

Engineering and product design education continues to evolve as new technologies and professional expectations emerge. Students today need more than traditional technical knowledge.

They increasingly require skills in digital design, collaboration, communication, research, sustainability, user-centred design and innovation.

E&PDE 2026 provides a platform for educators and researchers to examine these developments and share approaches that can improve teaching and learning.

The conference will encourage discussion around curriculum development, design teaching methods, research approaches and the relationship between academic learning and professional practice.

Diversity and Inclusive Design

Diversity is an important consideration when developing products, systems and services for modern society.

Designers need to understand that users have different requirements, backgrounds, abilities and expectations. Educational programmes therefore have an important role in teaching future professionals how to identify and respond to these differences.

E&PDE 2026 will explore how inclusive design principles can be incorporated into engineering and product design education.

The conference provides an opportunity for participants to share research, teaching experiences and practical approaches for developing more inclusive designers and engineers.

Research and Knowledge Exchange

Research is a major component of the conference. Academics and design researchers can use E&PDE 2026 to present their findings, discuss emerging ideas and receive feedback from other professionals.

Knowledge exchange between universities and industry can also help identify the skills and competencies required by future design professionals.

By bringing together participants from different backgrounds, the conference encourages cross-disciplinary conversations and collaboration.

Visual Papers Track

E&PDE 2026 also features a Visual Papers Track, providing an alternative format for communicating design research.

Visual communication is particularly important in engineering and product design because concepts can often be explained effectively through drawings, diagrams, photographs, models, prototypes and other visual materials.

The Visual Papers Track allows researchers to communicate their work through a visually focused format while contributing to the wider academic discussion.

Pre-Conference Workshops

Pre-conference workshops are scheduled for 2 September 2026, before the main conference begins.

These workshops provide participants with opportunities for more interactive learning and discussion. Rather than simply attending presentations, delegates can engage directly with specific topics and explore practical approaches.

The workshops are particularly useful for educators, researchers and professionals who want to develop their knowledge of contemporary design education methods.

Networking Opportunities

Networking is another important element of E&PDE 2026.

The event provides opportunities for delegates to meet academics, researchers, students, designers and industry professionals from different organisations and backgrounds.

For early-career researchers and students, networking can help build professional relationships and discover potential research or collaboration opportunities.

Experienced professionals can also benefit by exchanging ideas and learning about developments taking place across different institutions and industries.

Who Should Attend?

E&PDE 2026 is designed for a broad audience interested in engineering and product design education.

Engineering Educators

University lecturers, professors and teaching professionals can discover new educational methods and discuss curriculum development.

Product Design Educators

Design educators can explore approaches to studio teaching, project-based learning, user-centred design and inclusive design.

Researchers

Academic and industry researchers can present research findings and connect with other professionals working in related areas.

Students

Undergraduate, postgraduate and doctoral students can gain exposure to current research, meet professionals and develop their academic networks.

Industry Professionals

Designers, engineers and product development professionals can engage with educators and learn about emerging skills and approaches within design education.

Why Attend E&PDE 2026?

There are several reasons why E&PDE 2026 is relevant to today's design community.

First, the conference addresses the growing importance of diversity and inclusion in design education.

Second, it provides a platform for connecting academic research with professional practice.

Third, participants can learn about new approaches to teaching engineering and product design.

Finally, the event creates valuable opportunities for networking, knowledge exchange and collaboration.

University of Bristol Venue

The conference will be held at the University of Bristol's Clifton Campus in Bristol, England.

The university provides an appropriate academic environment for an international conference focused on engineering, product design and education.

Bristol is also an attractive destination for conference delegates, offering a combination of academic institutions, technology businesses, creative industries and cultural attractions.

Professional Development

Attending E&PDE 2026 can contribute to professional development by exposing participants to new research, educational techniques and industry perspectives.

Educators can take ideas from conference sessions back to their institutions and incorporate relevant approaches into teaching.

Researchers can use the event to receive feedback on their work and identify opportunities for future collaboration.

Industry professionals can gain insight into how universities are preparing the next generation of engineering and design professionals.

Future of Design Education

The future of engineering and product design education will depend on the ability of educational institutions to respond to technological, environmental and social change.

Artificial intelligence, advanced manufacturing, digital modelling, sustainability and changing user expectations are already influencing design practice.

At the same time, designers increasingly need to understand the social consequences of their decisions.

E&PDE 2026 provides an opportunity to consider how education can respond to these developments and ensure that future designers have the knowledge and skills needed to address complex challenges.

Wrapping Up

E&PDE 2026 will bring together the engineering and product design education community for two days of research, discussion, learning and networking.

The conference's focus on diversity provides an important opportunity to consider how design education can become more inclusive while preparing students for increasingly complex professional environments.

For educators, researchers, students and industry professionals, the event offers a valuable platform to exchange knowledge, explore emerging ideas and develop connections across the design community.

With its combination of academic research, practical discussion, workshops, visual presentations and networking opportunities, E&PDE 2026 is set to be an important event for professionals interested in the future of engineering and product design education.