Contributor

Thomas Fisher

Dayton Hudson Chair in Urban Design & Director of the Minnesota Design Center, College of Design, University of Minnesota

Thomas Fisher is a professor and director of the Minnesota Design Center. He is the former dean of the College of Design at the University of Minnesota. Educated at Cornell University in architecture and Case Western Reserve University in intellectual history, Fisher has been a leader in the public-interest design movement, and a long-time researcher and advocate for using design to tackle the major economic, environmental, and societal challenges facing the world. Fisher previously served as the regional preservation officer at the Western Reserve Historical Society in Cleveland, the historical architect of the Connecticut State Historical Commission in Hartford, and the editorial director of Progressive Architecture magazine in Stamford, Connecticut. Recognized as one of the most published academics in his field, Fisher is the author of seven books, over 50 book chapters and over 250 major articles. His new book, Designing Our Way to a Better World, is published by Minnesota Press. Fisher’s current work revolves around how design can solve problems in areas ranging from public health and childhood obesity, to sustainability, education and government. More information on Fisher, the Minnesota Design Center, and the College of Design can be found at www.design.umn.edu, or on Twitter at @UofMDesign and @TomRFisher.