Maria currently contributes to undergraduate and postgraduate teaching and research supervision across a range of courses at both Edinburgh College of Art (ECA) and the Edinburgh Futures Institute (EFI). Her highly interdisciplinary research-informed approach is focused on encouraging students to think outside of their subject-specific disciplines and apply design theories in practice. In 2021, she was nominated for a University of Edinburgh College of Arts, Humanities and Social Sciences Teaching Recognition Award under the category of ‘Excellent Newcomer’. She is currently a Fellow of the Higher Education Academy (FHEA), having obtained her Postgraduate Certificate in Teaching in Higher Education from The University of Dundee in 2015.

Maria has delivered over 100 guest talks and lectures to a variety of academic institutions and professional organisations internationally, including the Royal College of Art (RCA), Birmingham School of Jewellery, Manchester Metropolitan University (MMU), Federal University of Brazil, and Toronto Metropolitan University Canada.

Teaching at ECA / EFI

• DESI10025: Jewellery and Silversmithing: Professional Practice 4 (Course Organisation; Regular Teaching)
• DESI08144: Living Objects: Concept and Narrative (Course Organisation; Regular Teaching)
• DESI10133: Design Identities: Roles and Ecologies (Course Organisation; Regular Teaching)
• EFIE11110: Building Near Futures (Course Development; Regular Teaching)
• EFIE11126: Service Design & Management: Knowledge Integration & Project Planning (Regular Teaching)
• DESI10134: Design for Ageing (Regular Teaching)
• DESI09097: Design Externality 3 Major (Regular Teaching)
• DESI10052: Design and Screen Cultures 4: Design Dissertation (Regular Teaching)
• DESI08151: Introduction to Body Studies (Ad-Hoc Teaching)
• DESI11176: Body, Identity and Technology (Ad-Hoc Teaching)
• DESI10109: Design Research 3: Product Design (Ad-Hoc Teaching)
• DESI09099: Research for Inspiration 3 (Ad-Hoc Teaching)
• DESI10045: Design Research 3: Jewellery and Silversmithing (Ad-Hoc Teaching)
• DESI11077: MFA2 Design Studio (Ad-Hoc Teaching)
• DESI11079: MFA2 Design Exposition (Ad-Hoc Teaching)

Invited Lectures

• 2023 Unit X, BDes Design (All Disciplines), Manchester College of Art, Manchester Metropolitan University.
• 2021 Journeys in Policing and Forensics, Staffordshire University x Staffordshire Police Partnership.
• 2021 Forensic Jewellery. BSc Forensic Human Identification, The University of Abertay, Dundee.
• 2021 Forensic Jewellery, Initiative of Forensic Geology, The Federal University of Paraná, Brazil.
• 2021 Through the Lens: Immortalizing Stories and Collaboration, DJCAD Alumni Speaker Series, Dundee.
• 2021 (Im)Material Culture, MDes Jewellery and Silversmithing, Royal College of Art (RCA), London.
• 2020 Forensic Jewellery. BSc Forensic Human Identification, The University of Abertay, Dundee.
• 2020 ‘Talking Practice’ Seminar Series, School of Jewellery, Birmingham City University.
• 2020 Designing in Difficult Terrain. BDes/BSc Communication Futures, DJCAD, The University of Dundee.
• 2020 Professional Practice. Y3 BDes Product Design, Edinburgh College of Art, University of Edinburgh.
• 2019 Forensic Jewellery. BSc Forensic Human Identification, The University of Abertay.
• 2018 Forensic Jewellery. BSc Forensic and Analytical Science. Robert Gordon University.
• 2018 Jewellery in International Investigations. MSc International Investigation, Bournemouth University.
• 2018 Jewellery in DVI. MSc Disaster Victim Identification, University of Central Lancashire.
• 2018 Forensic Imaging. School of Forensic and Applied Sciences, University of Central Lancashire.
• 2015 Change by Design. Y3 Change by Design, DJCAD, The University of Dundee.
• 2015 Design Enterprise. Y3 Design Enterprise, DJCAD, The University of Dundee. 
• 2012 Institute for Capitalising on Creativity PhD Evening, McManus Art Gallery and Museum, Dundee.
• 2012 From Jewellery Designer to Forensic Jeweller. Y1 Art and Design, DJCAD, The University of Dundee.
• 2012 Research in Action. MDes Design for Services, DJCAD The University of Dundee.
• 2012 Border Crossings: Disciplines and Identity. Y2 BDes Craft and Design, DJCAD, University of Dundee.
• 2012 Research for Practice. Y3 BDes Craft and Design Students, DJCAD, The University of Dundee.
• 2011 Push the Boundaries. Public Lecture, DJCAD, The University of Dundee.
• 2011 Forensic Jewellery Identification. Y2 BDes Design Students, DJCAD, The University of Dundee.

Keynote Presentations

• 2023 A Stitch in Crime: Misfits, Deviants, and the Clothes they Wear. Bata Shoe Museum, Toronto (Online).
• 2021 Women in Policing Professional Development Day, British Transport Police (BTP), London (Online).
• 2021 INTERPOL Hungary Disaster Victim Identification (DVI) Dental Unit, Budapest, Hungary (Online).
• 2021 In Conversation With… The Heritage Crafts Association (HCA), London (Online).
• 2021 The National Council of Jewellery Valuers (NCJV), New South Wales, Australia (Online).
• 2021 Scottish Women’s Development Forum Annual Conference, Scottish Police Headquarters, Tulliallan.
• 2021 National Association of Jewellers Independent Valuers Summit, Staverton Park Estate, Northampton.
• 2020 Jewellery Valuers Association (JVA) Annual Conference, Loughborough University (Online).
• 2020 The National Council of Jewellery Valuers (NCJV), New South Wales, Australia (Online).
• 2020 Fellows Auctioneers, Evening Lecture Series, Birmingham Jewellery Quarter (Online).
• 2020 Gemflix: Gem X Club Lecture Series, New York (Online).
• 2020 Gemmological Association of Great Britain Evening Lecture Series, Birmingham Jewellery Quarter.
• 2019 Society of Jewellery Historians Lecture Series. Society of Antiquaries London. 
• 2019 Global Law Enforcement and Public Health Workshop on Vulnerability, Leonardo Hotel, Edinburgh.
• 2019 The Forensics and Crime Science Society 7th Annual Research Conference, Staffordshire University.
• 2018 Love and Desire in Gems and Jewels, The Victoria and Albert Museum, London.
• 2017 Scottish Gemmological Association Lecture Series. Eric Liddell Centre, Edinburgh.
• 2017 AI, DIY, ISPY. Salon North: Harrogate International Festivals, The Crown Hotel.
• 2017 British Association for Human Identification Annual Scientific Conference, Manchester.
• 2017 Forensics and Crime Science Society 5th Annual Research Conference, Staffordshire University. 
• 2016 New Frontiers in Forensics, Crime and Security, The Royal Institution of Great Britain, London. 
• 2016 Dundee International Design Festival, West Ward Works, Dundee.
• 2015 The British Association for Forensic Odontology Annual Scientific Conference. Crowne Plaza, Chester.
• 2015 TEDx Inverness. Bogbain Farm, Highlands and Islands.
• 2014 Findings Forensic Jewels at The Library of Congress. The John W. Kluge Center, Washington, D.C. 
• 2014 National Crime Agency Seminar on Unidentified Bodies and Remains. College of Policing, Ryton.
• 2014 Forensics Europe Expo: Innovations to Solve Investigations. Olympia, London.
• 2014 EuroSciCon Forum on Crime Scene Analysis and Victim Identification. O2, London.
• 2012 EuroSciCon International Forum for Disaster Victim Identification. O2, London. 
• 2012 DJCAD Annual Research Retreat, West Park Conference Centre, Dundee.
• 2012 Scottish Institute for Policing Research (SIPR) Workshop on Missing Persons, University of Dundee.
• 2012 The Investigator Magazine Conference on Investigating Forensics in Major Crimes, Leicester.
• 2012 National Family Liaison Coordinator Meeting on Disaster Victim Identification. Hilton, Coventry.
• 2012 Creative Dundee Pecha Kucha Night, Chamber Building, Dundee.

The recipient of several research grants and fellowships, Maria’s research in ‘Forensic Jewellery' is the first of its kind in the world, having been met with critical acclaim internationally. In 2011, she was awarded an ESRC CASE (Collaborative Awards in Science and Engineering) PhD Scholarship to undertake research related to the role of jewellery in a variety of forensic and criminal contexts (2011-2018; RES 187-24-0014). In 2013, she was awarded an ESRC Internship exploring the role of design in policing and crime reduction with the Home Office College of Policing. In 2014, she secured an AHRC International Placement Fellowship, through which she spent time at the Library of Congress in Washington D.C., researching jewellery’s role after 9/11.

Maria is currently Principal Investigator on Identifying the Displaced (2021-present), a multidisciplinary investigation into the role of personal effects in the migration context. Funded through an ESRC Impact Acceleration Award (EDI-21/22-P0049), the research is the result of a multidisciplinary international collaboration with experts in Forensic Anthropology and Forensic Pathology; with Dutch charity, the Transnational Platform for Forensic Assistance Forensic Missing Migrants Initiative (Athens), and the Department for Forensic Medicine at Alexandroupolis University Hospital (Evros). The heart of the research centres on the ongoing development of the world’s first online catalogue of personal property belonging to over 100 missing and unidentified migrants. Combining hundreds of police files and autopsy reports together with object biographies, photography, and documentary film; each case adopts a unique first-person narrative, gifting individuals with the ability to speak their own truth about the physical and emotional challenges experienced: from handmade ta'wiz amulets offering protection to the wearer; Islamic misbaha beads used to keep count during prayer; sim cards intricately wrapped in clingfilm to protect from harsh waters; and family photographs secretly sewn into the lining of clothing.

Book Chapters

• Maclennan, M. (2024). The PhD Student as Prototype: Reflections on the Practice-Based Design Doctorate as a form of Iterative Service Design. In: Newton, R., Doherty, M., and Mutton, J. (Eds.) Service Design for Higher Education. London: Routledge.
• Maclennan, M. (2024). Women in Policing. In: The Scottish Women’s Development Forum (SWDF) (Eds.) Women in Policing Photography Project. Scotland: The Police Service of Scotland.
• Maclennan, M. (2022). Chapter Four: Maria Maclennan. In: Women in Academia Support Network (WIASN). (Eds.) ResearcHER: The Power and Potential of Research Careers for Women. West Yorkshire: Emerald Publishing.
• Maclennan, M. and Ross, K. (2022). Assay-ssination: Reflections on the Human Cost of Jewellery and Gem Crime. In: Yates, D. and Oosterman, N. (Eds.) Art Crime in Context: Global Perspectives on Art and Heritage Crime. Springer Studies in Art, Heritage, Law, and the Market. Switzerland: Springer International Publishing.
• Maclennan, M. (2021). Once Upon a Time there was a Designer Researcher Called MM. In: Rogers, P. and Wareing, L. (Eds.) Adventures in Design Research. University of Lancaster Press.
• Maclennan, M. (2017). Silver Linings: Revealing Jewellery’s Potential to Appease Trauma in Instances of Death and Disaster. IN: War, Oppression and Disaster Across Time and Place: Creative Responses to Traumatic Experiences. Anthology of Research Fellows Past and Present, John W. Kluge Center, Library of Congress. University of Manchester Press. 
• Maclennan, M. (2017). The Tacit Voice in Disaster Victim Identification. IN: Easthope, L. and Engledow, M. (Eds.)Mass Fatalities: Reflections on Planning and Managing Death in Disaster. London: CRC Press.

Journal Articles

• Maclennan, M. (2023). From Jewellery Design Techniques to Criminal Identification Tactics: Becoming the World’s First Forensic Jeweller. Gems and Jewellery, Spring 2023, Vol.:32, No.1, pp.34-37.
• Maclennan, M. (2020). Forensic Jewellery: A Marriage of Two Fields. Journal of Jewellery Research (JOJR), Vol.:3, pp.41-59.
• Maclennan, M. (2012). Forensic Jewellery. The Association of British Investigators (ABI) Quarterly Journal, July 2012, pp.21-22. 
• Maclennan, M. (2012). Hidden Gems: Using Jewellery to Identify Victims & Suspects. The Investigator, No.1, pp.14-17. 

Conference Participation

• Maclennan, M, Bikker, J., Pavlidis, P, and Lawson, H. (2022). Resurrecting Migrant Identities through the Investigative Lens of Jewellery. Paper presented at the ‘Jewellery for Life and its Impacts on People’ Conference, School of Design and Creative Arts, Loughborough University, 30 November – 8 December 2022.
• Maclennan, M, Bikker, J., Pavlidis, P, and Lawson, H. (2022). Identifying the Displaced: Exploring the Forensic Value of Personal Effects in the Migration Context. Workshop delivered at the British Association for Human Identification (BAHID) 12th Annual Scientific Conference, Fire Service College, Moreton-in-Marsh, 11-13 November 2022.
• Maclennan, M. and Ross, K. (2021). Assa(y)ssination: Reflections on the Human Cost of Jewellery and Gem Crime. Paper presented at The Power of Things: Understanding Relationships between Objects and Crime. Maastricht University, The Netherlands.
• Maclennan, M. (2017). A Design-Led Approach to Exploring Jewellery within Forensic Human Identification. Poster presented at the Scottish Graduate School of Arts and Humanities (SGSAH) Doctoral Research Showcase. Glasgow, UK. 
• Maclennan, M. (2014). Scoping Jewellery as a Method of Forensic Human Identification. Poster presented at the National Centre for Research Methods (NCRM) Sixth Annual Research Methods Festival. Oxford, UK. 
• Maclennan, M. (2013). Forensic Design: Exploring the Potential of Contemporary Jewellery as a Boundary Object towards Facilitating Knowledge Exchange. Poster presented at the Imagination Lancaster Design PhD Conference. Lancaster, UK.
• Maclennan, M. (2013). Forensic Design? Poster presented at the Creative Collaborations Research Showcase: Industry-Academia Research and Knowledge Exchange Partnerships in Scotland. Edinburgh.
• Maclennan, M. (2012). Forensic Jewellery – Advances in Human Identification. Paper presented at the British Association for Human Identification (BAHID) 12th Annual Scientific Conference. Manchester, UK. 
• Maclennan, M. (2012). Forensic Jewellery Identification: A Design-Led Approach to Establishing Identity in the 21st Century for International Disaster Victim Identification (DVI). Paper presented at the 6th European Academy of Forensic Science Conference (EAFS): Towards Forensic Science 2.0: Forensic Application of Special and Unconventional Tools and Expertise. The Hague, Netherlands. 
• Maclennan, M. (2012). New Approaches in Forensic Human Identification? Paper presented at the Centre for Anatomy and Human Identification (CAHID) Postgraduate Seminar Series, The University of Dundee.
• Maclennan, M. (2012). Design Research for Turbulent Times. Paper presented at the Imagination Lancaster Design PhD Conference. Newcastle, UK. 
• Hanson, V., Crabb, M., Montague, K., Vanis, M., and Maclennan, M. (2011). Representing Users in Accessibility Research. Paper presented at the CHI Conference on Human Factors in Computing Systems. Vancouver, Canada.

Roundtable and Expert Panel Contributions

• Struthers, R., Ploszajski, A., Maclennan, M., Shaha, A., and Agrawal, R. (2021). The Science of Making. Heritage Craft Association x Brunel Museum, London, October 2021.
• Apps, J., Denison, L., Taylor, C., Humphrey, A., and Maclennan, M. (2017). How Can Research Influence and Inform Policing? The Challenges of Engaging with Policy and Practice. Dundee Postgraduate Policing Researchers Network, Scrymgeor Boardroom, The University of Dundee, October 2017.  
• Lee, B., Corazza, E., Tappert, T., Dodman, T. and Maclennan, M. (2014). War, Trauma, Memory and Art. The John W. Kluge Center, Library of Congress, Washington, D.C., December 2014.

Magazines

• Turner, R. (2023). Maria’s Eye for Detail Helps Name the Dead. The Black Isle Chatterbox, Issue 104, Spring 2023, pp 28-30.
• Ross, K. and Maclennan, M. (2021). Civilian Assistance with Jewellery Crimes, Canada: Blue Line Magazine, 
• Meirovich, L. (2020). The Jewelry Connoisseur, Rapaport Magazine, September 2020.
• Butchart, A. (2019). Lady Hale’s Spider and the Political History of the Brooch, Frieze Magazine, 3 Oct 2019.
• Ryan, L. (2019). The Forensic Jeweller, Frankie Magazine. Issue 91, Autumn 2019. 
• Marziali, L (2018). Forging New Jewellery Histories, Findings Magazine. Spring 2018.
• Augenstein, S. (2016). Novel Forensic Jeweler Looks to Gold for Clues. Forensic Magazine, 26 May 2016. 
• Thompson, T. (2016). Gem of an Idea, Police Professional, 19 May 2016. 
• Mollusk Magazine. Issue 4, 2013. 
• Clemence, H. (2011). Jewellery Proves Key in Forensic Advance. Police Review, 19 August 2011, pp. 11. 

Newspapers

• BBC News. (2022). The Forensic Jeweller Identifying Victims of Mass Tragedies, BBC Scotland, 8 April 2022.
• Boyle, J. (2021). They Call it The River of Death: The World’s First Forensic Jeweller on Helping Identify Refugees Killed at Notorious Crossing, The Sunday Post, 22 August 2021.
• Gomelsky, V. (2020). Bonding Over Jewelry, The New York Times, July 2020.
• Lockley, M. (2020). The Gold Bill. The Sunday Mercury, 21 June 2020.
• Jenkins, S. (2018). Following the Trail from Jewellery to Justice, The Financial Times. 22 March 2018. 
• Hall, A. (2018). Dundee Forensic Jeweller Maria a Dab Hand at Reuniting Gems with Loved Ones After Tragedy. The Evening Telegraph. 12 March 2018. 
• Morkis, S. (2018). Forensic Jeweller’s Starring Role in BBC Crime Programme, The Courier. 5 March 2018. 
• The Scotsman (2016). Dundee Unveils Plans for Cultural Celebration, The Scotsman, 2 May 2016.
• Ogston, G. (2016). Forensic Jeweller Unravels Secrets of Dead, BBC News, 29 April 2016.
• Ferguson, J. (2016). Scots Student Serves JEWEL Purpose as World's Only Forensic Jeweller, The Daily Record,26 April 2016. 
• Bennett, G. (2016). Forensic Jeweller Links Gems to Bodies. The Times, 26 April 2016. 
• Ross-Shire Journal (2014). Forensic Jeweller is Step Closer to FBI Dream, Ross-Shire Journal, 26 July 2014. 
• The Courier (2014). Researcher Closer to FBI Dream Job, The Courier, 19 July 2014.

Television and Documentaries

• Bayerischer Rundfunk Fernsehen (Bavarian Radio Television). (2023). Der Forensiker und die Namenlosen Toten(The Forensic Scientist and the Nameless Dead). BR TV DokThema Series, 29 March 2023. 
• Edinburgh College of Art (ECA). (2022). Research, Knowledge Exchange, and Innovation: Dr Maria Maclennan. ECA Edinburgh College of Art KEI 'Bitesize' Series, 19 October 2022. 
• BBC One. (2022). Crimewatch Live: Series 16, Episode 7, 11 October 2022.
• Channel 4. (2022). Heirloom Detectives, August - December 2022.
• UK Research and Innovation. (2022). The Forensic Jeweller Who Helps Solve Mysteries. UKRI 101 Jobs that Changed the World Campaign, Episode 32, 24 March 2022.
• BBC Scotland. (2021). Blindness, BBC Scotland, 10 October 2021.
• Cognozant. (2021). 21 Places of the Future: Dundee, Center for the Future of Work, 15 March 2021.
• Creative Converge. (2019). Promotional Interview for BBC Forensic Drama, ‘Traces’, 9 December 2019.
• BBC Scotland. (2019). Beginning, BBC Scotland Channel Launch, 24 February 2019.
• BBC One. (2018). Murder, Mystery, and My Family, Series One, Episode Six, BBC One, March 2018.
• BBC One. (2017). Crimewatch Roadshow Live: Series 7, Episode 12, 27 June 2017.
• STV News. (2016). Scotland Tonight, 7 September 2016.
• Scottish Government. (2016). Scottish Government Organ Donation Campaign, July 2016.
• STV News. (2016). News at Six, 28 April 2016.

Radio and Podcasts

• LOL! My Praxis, October 2022.
• The University of Edinburgh. (2022). Sharing Things Podcast, Series 6: Episode 2, 8 October 2022. 
• The Reveal, BBC Radio Scotland / BBC Sounds, 2022, April 2022.
• Learning Short Series, Jewellers Vigilance Committee (JVC) Canada, November 2022.
• Handmade Podcast, 9 April 2021.
• The Jewelry Connoisseur Podcast: Episode Eight, Rapaport Magazine, August 2020.
• International Women’s Day Special, Wave 102 FM, 8 March 2019.
• Saturday Live, BBC Radio 4, 18 March 2017.
• The Kaye Adams Show, BBC Radio Scotland, April 2016.
• Forensic Outreach Podcast: Episode One, 11 February 2012.

Films, Festivals, and Showings

• Lawson, H., Maclennan, M, Bikker, J., and Pavlidis, P. (2022). Identifying the Displaced, Exhibition and Film Screening, Young Space, London, January 2023.
• Lawson, H., Maclennan, M, Bikker, J., and Pavlidis, P. (2022). Identifying the Displaced, ‘Jewellery for Life and its Impacts on People’ Exhibition and Conference, School of Design and Creative Arts, Loughborough University, 30 November – 8 December 2022.
• Lawson, H., Maclennan, M., Bikker, J., and Pavlidis, P. (2022). Identifying the Displaced. British Association for Human Identification (BAHID) Annual Scientific Conference, 11-13 November 2023.
• Badenoch, I., Hendry, R., and Maclennan, M. (2021). The Dead are Jewels to Me, Glasgow Short Film Festival 2022, 23-27 March 2022 (Nominated for Scotland’s Year of Stories Short Film Award, ‘A Different Sphere’ Category).
• Badenoch, I., Hendry, R., and Maclennan, M. (2021). The Dead are Jewels to Me, New Shoots: Filmmakers Competition 2021, Shooting People (Finalist in the 2021 Winter Competition).
• Badenoch, I., Hendry, R., and Maclennan, M. (2021). The Dead are Jewels to Me, London Short Film Festival, Official Selection, British Film Institute (BFI), London, 14-23 January 2022 (Nominated for Best UK Short Film, ‘So It Goes’ Category).
• Badenoch, I., Hendry, R., and Maclennan, M. (2021). The Dead are Jewels to Me, Women in Film: BBC Introducing Arts, BBC Four, March 2021 (International Women’s Day 2021 Special Broadcast).

Exhibitions

• 2023 Identifying the Displaced, Exhibition and Film Screening, Young Space, London, January 2023.
• 2022 Women in Policing, Police Scotland Headquarters, Tulliallan Castle, October 2022.
• 2021 What If? Dundee / Scotland, V&A Dundee, Relocated Venice Biennale, 22 May-21 November.
• 2021 100 Jewels by 100 Women, Double Door Studios, Dundee, 31 May-27 June 2021.
• 2017 #WHOISUNKNOWN: 50 Emerging Creative and Innovators Pushing the Boundaries of Art, Design, Technology and Culture, London Design Festival, Old Truman Brewery, 20-25 September 2017. 
• 2017 SGSAH Doctoral Research Showcase, The Lighthouse, Glasgow, 21 June 2017.
• 2013 Creative Collaborations Research Showcase, The Hub, Castlehill, Edinburgh, 5 June 2013. 
• 2011 Relics of Attachment, Cooper Gallery, DJCAD, The University of Dundee, 15 February-2 March 2013. 
• 2011 Master of Design Degree Show, DJCAD, The University of Dundee, 27 August-3 September 2011. 
• 2011 The Spider and The Fly, Edinburgh Grassmarket, 1 December 2010-1 April 2011. 
• 2010 The Psychedelic Circus, Doghouse, Dundee, 28 November 2010. 
• 2010 Classique Noël, The Playwright, Dundee, 5 November 2010. 
• 2010 VISUALYZE, Dundee University Students' Union (DUSA), Dundee, 10 November 2010. 
• 2010 NeoN Digital Arts Festival, The University of Abertay, Dundee, 5-12 October 2010. 
• 2010 Papergirl Manchester, Manchester Arts Festival, Soup Kitchen, 1-21 October 2010. 
• 2010 New Designers Showcase, Islington Business Centre, London, 30 June-4 July 2010. 
• 2010 Jewellery and Metal Design Degree Show, DJCAD, The University of Dundee, 21-30 May 2010. 
• 2010 VIP Industry Night and Catwalk Showcase. DJCAD The University of Dundee, 20 May 2010.