Texas Tech University

Sharran Parkinson, Ph.D.

Professor
Interior Design

Email: Sharran.Parkinson@ttu.edu

Phone: (806) 834-7617

Office: HS 210B

Dr. Sharran Parkinson is a Professor in the Department of Design. She has over thirty years' experience teaching design at the university level. She served as the Department of Design Chairperson from 2014-2021; previously she was Professor and Chairperson of Interior Design at Virginia Commonwealth University (2004-2014) and Associate Professor and Chairperson of Interior Architecture at Ohio University (1992-2004). She is a professional member of the International Interior Design Association and the Interior Design Educators Council. She served for several years as a site visitor for the Council of Interior Design Accreditation (1994-2013) and currently serves as an editorial reviewer for the Journal of Interior Design. Dr. Parkinson was selected by DesignIntelligence as a top design educator in the country, and she has earned several research and service awards from Interior Design Educator's Council and the Journal of Interior Design.

Dr. Parkinson teaches studio and design history courses and has published articles on design history and pedagogy. At Texas Tech, she works with graduate students to help them to publish their peer reviewed papers and presentations completed in her classes. She is both designer and artist and continues to exhibit her paintings and collages. Professional projects include residential, hospice, and assisted living designs. Her undergraduate degree is in Graphic Art from Stephens College. She earned an MS in Interior Design from Florida State University and PhD in Comparative Arts from Ohio University.

Dr. Parkinson is passionate about design. She welcomes and enjoys meeting perspective students to discuss their future possibilities at Texas Tech University.

Education

PhD Comparative Arts (NKA Interdisciplinary Arts)

School of Interdisciplinary Arts, College of Fine Arts, Ohio University

Areas of Concentration: Art History and Theatre

MS Interior Design

Department of Interior Design (NKA Interior Architecture), College of Visual Arts, Theatre & Dance, Florida State University

Area of Concentration: Interior Design Studio

BA Graphic Art

Stephens College. Area of Concentration: Fashion Illustration, Graphic Art

Related Education 

Graduate Certificate in Design Thinking (online)Harvard Business School, 2022

Graduate Certificate in Higher Education (online) The Derek Bok Center for Teaching and Learning, Harvard University, 2022

Academic Positions 

 

Texas Tech University, College of Human Sciences

Professor, Department of Design, 2014-present

Chair of the Department of Design & Professor of Design, 2014- present Administration of the following areas :Interior & Environmental Design (PhD); Environmental Design (MS); Apparel Design (BS); Interior Design (BID)

Virginia Commonwealth University, School of the Arts

Chair of the Department of Interior Design and Professor of Design, 2004- 2014

Administration of the following areas: Interior Design (BFA, MFA) in Richmond;

administration of BFA degree, Qatar Campus from 2004-2006.

Ohio University, University College

Associate Dean of General Education (2-year faculty rotation) 2002-2004

Ohio University, College of Fine Arts

Chair of Interior Architecture, 1995- 2002

Administration of the Interior Architecture Undergraduate Program

Associate Professorof Interior Architecture, 1995- 2004

Assistant Professorof Interior Architecture, 1992- 1995

Research Scholar (Ohio University) 1994

University of Glasgow (Hunterian Galleries) and

Glasgow School of Art and Design.

Graduate Teaching Associate 1990- 1992

School of Interdisciplinary Arts, College of Fine Arts, Ohio University

University of Charleston, School of Art

Instructor (1986- 1990)

Sharran Parkinson

Professional Membership & Service

Council of Interior Design Accreditation, Site Visitor and Chair.

Design Futures Council, Institutional Affiliation

International Academy for Design & Health, TTU Institutional Partner

                                                                        International Council of Fine Arts Deans

Council of Interior Design Accreditation, Site Visitor and Chair.

Design Futures Council, Institutional Affiliation

International Academy for Design & Health, TTU Institutional Partner

International Council of Fine Arts Deans

International Interior Design Association, Professional Member

International Textile and Apparel Association                                                                                                                             

Interior Design Educators Council

Journal of Interior Design Editorial Review Board

NEWH, Hospitality Industry Network

NASAD, Institutional Affiliation

The Arts in Society Research Network

Phi Kappa Phi

Civic Service

YWCA Lubbock, Board of Directors 2018- 2021.

YWCA Lubbock, Women of Excellence Committee 2018-present.

Lubbock Independent School District, Board Member 2014-present

Honors & Awards

TTU President's Excellence in Engaged Scholarship Award, 2020

Journal of Interior Design Service Award 2019, 2016, 2015, 2013, 2012, 2010, 2008

Design Intelligence Most Admired Design Educator, 2013

Interior Design Education Council Service Award 2018, 2016, 2015, 2013, 2012

Council for Interior Design Accreditation Service Award 2013

Appreciation Certificate, National Association of Contractors & Builders, 2009

City of Richmond, Virginia, Mayoral Award, 2009

Interior Design Education Council Research Presentation Award 2001

Outstanding Teaching Award, Ohio University 1994

Academic scholarship (100% of tuition and teaching stipend), Ohio University, 1990-1994

Phi Kappa Phi Honor Society




Current Research & Related Grants in Progress

Parkinson, S.,  “Eleanor LeMaire” (research in progress at the Smithsonian Archives of American Art & TTU) 2016 - present.

Parkinson, S. “Women Artists of the Roycroft” (paper in progress) 2017 - present. 

Peer Reviewed Publications & Proceedings (past 4 years at TTU)

Ladan, Khalvati, with Rodrigues, R., Camacho, G, and Parkinson, S. "Designing Sustainable and Eco-Friendly

Lighting Solutions for Campus Safety: The Role of Concentrated Solar-powered Light Poles". Institute of Electrical

and Electronic Engineers, Computational Intelligence and Sustainable Engineering Solutions. April, 2023.

Marzban, Fatemeh and Parkinson, S. “Learn-at-home environments: Inclusive design recommendations for homeschooling children with ASD during a quarantine.” Environmental Design Research Conference, EDRA 2022.  

Yekita, Hamed, Parkinson, S. (2021) Operating Room Design for Reducing Surgical Errors Due to Distractions and Interruptions. Environmental Design Research Conference, EDRA 2021.  

Schambureck, E., Parkinson, S. (2018). Design for Sight: A Typology

System for Low-Vision Design Factors. Journal of Interior Design, 43(2), 33-54.

Alansari, A. with Pati, D., Parkinson, S., Gaines, K., and Alnajadah, A. “Examining Preparedness of Interior Design Students in Kuwait from a Global Design Firm Perspective.” Design Principles and Practices:   Journal. CG Publishers, 2016.

Mahdaly, A. with Pati, D., Parkinson, S., and Duemer, S. “The influence of the visual and direct physical accessibility

on the sense of control of Saudi women in the home environment,” The World Academy of Science, Engineering,

and Technology Conference, London, UK, 2016. Conference proceedings.

Parkinson, S. “Clothing Design for Conjoined Twin Infants: Outreach and Design Bring Meaning to a Family”, Tenth Conference of Arts in Society, Imperial College, London, 2015. Conference proceedings.

Parkinson, S. “The Women of the Roycroft”, Ninth Conference of the Arts in Society, Sapienza University of Rome, College of Architecture, 2014  Conference proceedings.

Dissertation

Parkinson, S.Les sept princesses: the influence of Maurice Maeterlinck's dramatic symbols, as depicted in his play, upon the visual symbols of Margaret MacDonald”. Dissertation 1994 v, 178 leaves: Illustrations English; Illustrations French. Held by Ohio University and Art Institute of Chicago.               

Peer Reviewed Publications/ Presentations related to Dissertation

Parkinson, S. “Margaret Macdonald: Lost Works Discovered in Vienna Basement”, Women Artists News, 2000.

Parkinson, S. “The Collaboration between Artist and Architect Achieves Aesthetic Organization”, Environmental Design Research Association International Conference (EDRA), San Francisco, 2000

Parkinson, S. “Les Sept Princesses: A Vienna Discovery Renews Interest in the Art and Collaborative Interiors of

Margaret Macdonald”, Journal of Interior Design, 1998.

Parkinson, S. “Les Sept Princesses: The influence of Maurice Maeterlinck's dramatic symbols, as depicted in his

play, upon the visual symbols of Margaret Macdonald.” French XX Bibliography 53: Critical and Biographical

References for the Study of French Literature since 1885. Susquehanna University Press, 1998.

Department of Design