Ela St. Michael

Master of Design Student (School of Industrial Design)

Ela St. Michael is a Master of Design student in the School of Industrial Design at Carleton University. Her work examines how positionality and reflective practices shape collaboration and influence the development of meaningful partnerships. Through St. Michael’s research and practice, she approaches community engagement with an emphasis on care, reciprocity, trust and mutual benefit. 

Her expertise draws on a foundation in industrial design, user experience design and strategy, and peer mentorship. St. Michael holds a Bachelor of Industrial Design from Carleton University and has developed a strong understanding of the ongoing work required to build, sustain and nurture effective partnerships. Her research interests focus on community-centred approaches to collaboration and on creating processes that support shared learning and relationship building. 

St. Michael’s work is grounded in the belief that strong partnerships emerge through reflection, openness and a commitment to understanding diverse perspectives. She is particularly interested in how design processes can support value-driven collaboration and strengthen connections between institutions and the communities they serve. 

As a member of the Towards Carleton@100 strategic visioning process, St. Michael contributes a perspective centred on relationality, reflection and community-driven practices, supporting the development of thoughtful and mutually beneficial partnerships.