The Societal Impact of Applied Design Research

Research Presentation & Interactive Discussions

During the workshop, relevant insights and projects will be presented by partners linked to the Network Applied Design Research. The workshop will start with a series of short presentations, followed by a series of collaborative and interactive table discussions. All discussions will be based on conceptual research papers that will be provided in advance to participants of the event. Date: Monday 21 October 2024 Time: 13.00 – 17.00 Location: Microlab Skybar Kastanjelaan 400 5616 LZ Eindhoven

Theme 1 & 2: Connecting System Levels & Theory of Change

Theme 1. Connecting System Levels For short-term design research to contribute effectively to long-term changes in society, it is necessary to act at different system levels. At which level can design interventions take place, and what is the interrelationship between interventions at the different system levels? How can small design-based interventions achieve a profound societal impact? Theme 2: Theory of Change What activities do design researchers carry out within the limits of their own sphere of influence? With what concrete results? How do these results contribute to outcomes outside the design researcher's direct sphere of influence? And what impact does this subsequently have on the social issue as a whole? In other words, what are the underlying Theories of Change and associated Impact Pathways of applied design researchers?

Theme 3 & 4: Limited ‘Makeability’ of Society & Balancing Different Worldviews

Theme 3. Limited ‘Makeability’ of Society Designers focus on changing an existing situation into a new one. However, such a linear and solution-oriented approach may not work when dealing with complex societal transition processes. How to balance the optimistic desire to bring about positive change, with the limitations of controlling a complex and constantly evolving socio-technical ecosystem? Theme 4. Balancing Different Worldviews Applied design research requires the involvement of many different actors, each of them operating based on their specific worldviews and interpretive frameworks. But also the design researcher operates from a personal set of values and beliefs. What role do these underlying values and ideologies play when undertaking a design research initiative? And what is the role of possible conflicting interests?