Niti Bhan returned to academia after two decades of front-end design research for project information development for informal economies in the Global South. Recognition of her professional design practice includes invitations to speak (Closing Plenary, CHI2007; TED Global 2017), write (Core77 2004-2010; Harvard Business Review 2014) and participate (UNESCO Social Design Network – Advisory Board 2007-2010; Core77 Design Awards 2022 – Jury). Her doctoral research aimed to build bridges amongst multiple epistemologies and axiologies for resilient and sustainable design futures. She defends her thesis in early 2027. Formerly, she was Director, Graduate Admissions, Institute of Design, Illinois Institute of Technology, Chicago (2002-2005).