About
Dr. Hanadi Traifeh is an experienced academic and innovation leader with over 20 years advancing design thinking, research, and transformative learning across global contexts. Her work bridges three interconnected domains: academic research and program development, global capacity building, and innovation advisory. She specializes in translating complex challenges into actionable learning experiences; whether developing digital learning ecosystems, researching how teams collaborate and innovate, or designing stackable pathways that democratize access to design and creative capabilities.
Currently serving as Dean of the College of Design Thinking at the German University of Digital Science, Hanadi shapes the vision and strategic direction for a newly established college dedicated to digital-first innovation and future-oriented education. She curates innovative program portfolios while developing stackable learning pathways that support lifelong professional development. Through industry partnerships and experiential learning initiatives, she co-creates real-world design challenges with startups and innovation labs, launching hybrid learning intensives that combine digital instruction with hands-on experiences.
Prior to this role, Hanadi was a senior researcher at the Hasso Plattner Institute. For the past 15 years, she has also been consulting as an Innovation and Human-Centred Design advisor, leading educational and capacity-building programs across the USA, Canada, UK, EU, and the Middle East with institutions including the University of Cambridge, BBC World Trust, the International Development Research Center of Canada, and the World Affairs Council of Northern California. She has designed and facilitated design thinking workshops, hackathons, and innovation sessions across multiple Arab countries for both public and private sector clients.
Hanadi holds a PhD in Design Thinking from Potsdam University (Germany), a Master’s in Fine Arts from Cardiff Metropolitan University (UK) , and a Postgrad Certificate in Instructional Design from George Brown College (Canada). She frequently speaks at global conferences and has published her research widely.