Malcolm Ferris is the Co-Founder of Making Futures, Arts University Plymouth’s international research platform exploring the future of contemporary art, craft, design-to-make and neo artisanal maker practices as 'change agents’ in 21st-century society.

Formerly Research and Academic Development Director at Arts University Plymouth, Malcolm’s work has been instrumental in establishing key external partnerships for Arts University Plymouth with the British Council, Crafts Council and international collaboration, particularly in the US, Far East and South Asia, including the Making Futures events at Beijing Design Week (2014) and the Cheongju International Craft Biennale (2015).

Arts University Plymouth awarded an Honorary Fellowship to Malcolm Ferris in 2019 in recognition of his formative contribution to the development of Arts University Plymouth’s curricula and research profile, and for his achievement in establishing Making Futures as home to an internationally-significant, cross-disciplinary community of research and practice in craft and sustainability.