Dr Malini Karani

Bio

Malini earned her bachelor’s in interior design from the American University in Dubai and later pursued a Master’s in Architecture from the Academy of Art University in San Francisco. She has practiced as an Architect and Interior Designer in Dubai and contributed to academia across the Middle East, teaching at various universities. Some of her professional projects in Dubai include designing malls, retail spaces, bank branches, and luxury homes.

Malini completed her PhD in Architecture at Cardiff University, UK, specializing in Vastushastra, or Indian Architectural Theory. She has published research on this subject and aspires to merge the essence of traditional architectural theories with contemporary design in her work.

In her previous academic post, Malini served as Deputy Head of School, working closely with the Head of School and Director of Learning and Teaching on strategic planning and resource management. Her responsibilities included developing the school’s resourcing plan, coordinating with student services to publish faculty timetables, and contributing to programme development through active participation in the School Studies Committee. She oversaw student recruitment and experience for undergraduate and postgraduate design programmes, including Interior Design, Communication Design, MA Interior Architecture and Design, and MA Design Management, supporting applicants throughout the admissions process and liaising regularly with the Programme Director of Studies in the UK to ensure alignment and resolve any academic concerns.

She is passionate about collaborating with industry partners to enrich student learning. Malini regularly organises student workshops, guest lectures, and design competitions in partnership with designers and suppliers, helping to bridge the gap between academia and industry. She finds it especially rewarding to see students grow in confidence through competition participation, whether or not they win, as the learning experience is invaluable. Supporting students in having a well-rounded and meaningful university experience is, she believes, one of the most challenging and fulfilling aspects of her role.

Malini has been a judge for a few Interior design awards such as the Commercial Interior Design Awards (2020-2022):

• https://www.commercialinteriordesign.com/events/cover-the-basics-when-entering-the-commercial-interior-design-awards-says-dr-malini-karani-wants
• https://www.commercialinteriordesign.com/people/51542-dr-malini-karani-meet-the-judges

As well as the Light Middle East Awards.

She has also been featured in the Commercial Interior Design magazine and Love that Design.

In her previous role she had been nominated for teaching awards by the student union in various categories such as ‘most switched on’ and ‘Innovator’. She has received the Graduate Teaching award for 2022 as well as for ‘Most accessible award’ and ‘The guiding hand award’ for 2021 and 2022. 

She is an art enthusiast and has exhibited her work at various art events such as World Art Dubai, Time Out market exhibition, Sikka group exhibition and the Urbanist Art Gallery Dubai. One of her paintings Is a part of the collection at the Telavi Historical Museum as well as exhibited at the Grand Nikko Hotel in Japan.