Dr James Branch

Senior Lecturer, Design Strategy

James is a lecturer and researcher specialising in design education. He holds a doctorate from Loughborough University and an MA in Design with Teaching and Learning.

His recent research explored the work of UX and service designers, translating the findings into a learning design toolkit. James teaches modules including: UX Research and Design, Brand Creation, Creative Problem Solving, and Final Year Project.

Prior to lecturing James was a designer in London working on marketing communications, brand design and publishing for: Adjaye Associates, The Architecture Foundation, Laurence King Publishing, Moving Brands, Nokia, Swisscom, and Vizeum.

External Links

Dr James Branch

Contact details

Email James.Branch@falmouth.ac.uk

    Qualifications

    Qualifications

    Year Qualification Awarding body
    2023 PhD, HCI / UXD Education (Pass with modest corrections) Loughborough University
    2014 MRes Arts and Cultural Research University of Brighton
    2010 MA Design with Learning and Teaching in HE Kingston University, London
    2000 BA Design Studies Goldsmiths

    Membership of external committees

    Fellow of the Higher Education Academy

    Research Interests

    Research interests and expertise

    My research explores the intersection of design, technology, and education. I focus on the evolving nature of design practice and education in the context of rapid technological and professional change. My work aims to support the future development of inclusive, critically aware, and responsive approaches to design education.

    Research topics

    HCI, UX, Digital Product Design, Service Design, Design Studies, Design Pedagogy

    Research Outputs

    Publications and research outputs

    • Branch, James

      Evans, Mark, (2021), Do UX design courses meet industry’s needs? Analysing UX degrees and job adverts, In: The Design Journal, Taylor Francis, London, 24 (4), ISSN: 1756-3062

    • Branch, James

      (2016), Mapping the mast, In: Communication Design: Interdisciplinary and Graphic Design Research, Bloomsbury, London, UK, 3 (1), ISSN: 2055-7140

    • Branch, James

      (2018), Learning from Networked Public Space, In: Cultural Politics, Duke University Press, London, UK, 14 (1), pp. 129-131, ISSN: 1751-7435

    • Su, Cui

      Branch, James, (2011), Print Matters: Zines, In: Print Matters, March 2011, Southampton Hartley Library

    • Branch, J

      (2023), The Pedagogy of User Experience Design. Ph. D. Thesis. Available at: https://repository.lboro.ac.uk/articles/thesis/The_pedagogy_of_user_experience_design/24221194/1, Loughborough University

    • Branch, James and Chudley, James

      (2024), Introduction to User Experience (UX) and Journey Mapping, In: Introduction to User Experience (UX) & Journey Mapping, 10/09/24, Launchpad Falmouth University

    • Branch, James

      (2023), Teaching and Learning Beyond Knowledge and Skills in User Experience (UX) Design, Falmouth University, (Unpublished)

    • Branch, James

      Branch, J and Chudley, J, Introduction to User Experience Design and Journey Mapping | Workshop (10 September 2024), Falmouth University, Cornwall

    • Cokes, Lucy

      Branch, James, Ferguson, Joel and Ecover, (2024), The Home ECOnomics Report, Item availability may be restricted.

    • Cokes, Lucy

      Branch, James and Ferguson, Joel, (2024), Evolution of Laundry

    • Cokes, Lucy

      Branch, James and Ferguson, Joel, (2024), Evolution of Laundry

    Teaching

    Areas of teaching

    • UX Research and Design
    • Design research
    • Brand Strategy and Design
    • Creative problem solving
    • Lean startup
    • Communication Design

    Courses taught

    • BA (Hons) Creative Advertising
    • BA(Hons) Marketing Communications
    • BA(Hons) Media Production
    • MA User Experience Design (Online)

    Professional Engagement

    Engagement with professional associations and societies

    • (2025–Present) External Examiner: MSc User Experience Design, University of Portsmouth
    • (2024) Revalidation Panel Member: BA(Hons) Graphic Design, Edge Hill University
    • (2023–Present) Reviewer with The Design Journal
    • (2022) Revalidation Panel Member: BA(Hons) UX/UI, Ravensbourne University London
    • (2016–2020) External Examiner: BA(Hons) Graphic Communication Design, University of Northampton
    • (2014–2018) External Examiner: BA(Hons) Graphic Design, University of West London