Prof. Pirast Pacharasawate is a leading design educator and researcher at Chulalongkorn University, Thailand’s most prestigious academic institution. With a strong foundation in industrial design and design strategy, she has dedicated her career to cultivating future design leaders and advancing the role of design in Southeast Asia’s social and economic development. Her research and teaching focus on user-centered design, sustainable product development, and cross-cultural design innovation. Known for her rigorous academic approach and deep engagement with the local creative industry, Prof. Pacharasawate plays a pivotal role in bridging academic knowledge and real-world impact. In addition to her academic work, she actively participates in international design conferences and award juries, offering a critical voice from the Global South. Her insights reflect a commitment to contextual relevance, cultural empathy, and the transformative power of design.