Keiphe Setlhatlhanyo

I received my doctoral degree from the School of Design at the University of Leeds (2018-2023). I am a cross disciplinary design researcher.  My work explores design and craft heritage, community development and culturally significant products. My PhD research focussed on the examination of culturally significant motifs in Botswana. I have worked with communities producing baskets to assist them in improving their designs and co-creating with solutions that enhance livelihoods among the bushmen through design. I am particularly interested in heritage- integrated education and the relationship between place, culture and designer products, as well as how design can enhance and sustain this connection. 

I graduated from Nottingham Trent University with an MA in Product Design Innovation Management (2010) and a BDes, Design and Technology Education from the University of Botswana. 

My current research builds on my PhD work to further investigate the potential role of design in contributing to and helping develop and revitalise culturally significant designs, products, and practices. The overarching goal of this project is to explore how contemporary design practices can contribute to the revitalisation and development of Indigenous cultural designs, products, and practices that are of historical and cultural significance. This will involve bridging traditional Indigenous knowledge with modern design techniques to ensure the preservation and evolution of cultural identity in an increasingly globalised world. 

Publications

Book chapters

Setlhatlhanyo, K.N., Sekonopo, P. and Njeru, S.N., 2024. The Business Case for Design in Afrika. In African Industrial Design Practice (pp. 263-286). Routledge. 

Rapitsenyane, Y., Moalosi, R., Dichabeng, P., Setlhatlhanyo, K. and Sealetsa, O., 2024. A Framework to Evaluate the Influence of Digital Technology and Sustainable Smart Product-Service Systems on Greenhouse Gas Emissions. In Digital Technology Enabled Circular Economy (pp. 168-183). CRC Press. 

Journal articles

Setlhatlhanyo, K. Sinha, P.  Boukla, E. (2023). Uncovering Intangible Heritage motifs and patterns in Botswana. Prague-Heritage: Past and Present-Built and Social, AMPS Proceedings Series 35, (pp. 306-313) 

Setlhatlhanyo, K., Dallabona, A., and Sinha, P. (2019). A framework for developing culturally significant designs for the leather industry in Botswana. World Transactions on Engineering and Technology Education, 17 (1). Pp. 104-109. ISSN 1446-2257. 

Conferences and Presentations

Setlhatlhanyo, K. Sinha, P. Boukla, E. (2022). Investigation of traditional beadwear artwork in Botswana:  Photo-elicitation Interviews with Yei/Mbukushu’ tribes. Fibres, Threads and Fabrics: Textile and cloth as Material Culture, Biennale Conference, 28 October, London College of Fashion. 

Setlhatlhanyo K,  Sinha, P. Boukla, E. (2020) Culturally significant motifs: A potential for integration in the design curriculum in Botswana. Agenda of Art Practice and Research from the Interdisciplinary Perspective’’ International Graduate Academic Forum: 29th, December 2020 Soochow University, China. 

Setlhatlhanyo, K., Sinha, P. Boukla, E., Dallabona, A. (2021). 3Min video -Exploration of the culturally significant Motifs and Patterns in crafts: 3 regions in Botswana. The International Summit on the SDGs Africa 2021 #TheAfricaWeWant; 12-15 September, University of Cape Town, South Africa 

Setlhatlhanyo, K. Art & Design visiting Speaker (Workshop + Talk) Dec, 09th 2020 - a workshop with undergraduate art and design students- weaving beyond basketry and A Talk to the School of Design University of Leeds.

Teaching

The Art and Science of Design; History of Art and Design, Emerging Issues in Design, and Design for All.

Qualifications

PhD in Design (University of Leeds) MA Product Design Innovation Management (Nottingham Trent University) BDes Design and Technology Education (University of Botswana)