FACULTY BIO

Dr. Nehal Almurbati is a distinguished academic and practitioner with an extensive background in interior design, focusing on the intricate relationships between people, culture, gender, and religion. Her research seeks to bridge the gap between the material and immaterial aspects of interior products in Middle Eastern dwellings, contributing to a deeper understanding of the region's design ethos. Dr. Almurbati graduated with Honors from the University of Bahrain in 2007, earning a Bachelor of Science in Interior Design. She continued her academic journey in the UK, where she obtained a Master’s degree with distinction in Interactive Exhibition Design from the University for the Creative Arts in 2009. In 2016, she completed her PhD at De Montfort University, concentrating on Hybrid Heritage and the innovative reproduction of Mashrabiya through advanced technologies such as 3D printing. Her research interests span sustainable heritage and interiors, modes of production, digital crafts, and the customization of designs via additive manufacturing. Dr. Almurbati has made significant contributions to academia through numerous conference papers and international publications. She has supervised over 80 graduates, including Master’s and PhD students, in the fields of Interior Design and Interior Architecture. Additionally, she serves as an NQF assessor and external verifier for several private universities and acts as a reviewer for the Frontiers of Architecture journal. Since returning from her scholarship, Dr. Almurbati has been actively involved in future sciences and smart city initiatives. She co-founded the UOB Digital Fabrication Workshop (Fabritech) in 2017 and the Smart Sustainable Urbanism Lab (SSU) in 2019. Furthermore, she is an active board member of both the Bahrain Smart City Society and the Bahrain Intellectual Property Society. Currently, she teaches a diverse array of subjects, including Interior Design, Islamic Ornamentation, Social and Cultural Factors in Design, Sustainability in Design, Design Management and Entrepreneurship, and Computer-Aided Design at the University of Bahrain.