Events

Opening Panel: Setting the Scene

This session sets the scene by situating practice research in design in a broader context. It shares perspectives from other academic fields and professional practices that use practice research to advance knowledge and develop responses to social and sustainability issues. Chaired by Professor Lucy Kimbell, Social Design Institute, UAL. Speakers: Professor Harriet Hawkins, Department of Geography, Royal Holloway, Indy Johar, Dark Matter Labs, Professor Pratap Rughani, London College of Communication, UAL.

Panel Two: Definitions - Knowledge, boundaries, interventions, methodologies

This session reviews competing definitions of practice research in design in relation to social and sustainability issues. Chaired by Professor Alison Prendiville, London College of Communication, UAL. Speakers: Professor Emerita Anne Boddington, Kingston University, Dr Kat Jungnickel, Goldsmiths College, University of London and Dr Patrycja Kaszynska, Social Design Institute, UAL, as well as video contributions from Dr Lesley-Ann Noel, North Carolina State University, United States and Professor Cameron Tonkinwise, University of Technology Sydney, Australia.

Panel Three: Realities of doing design practice research

This session brings together different perspectives on what it means to do practice research in design in relation to social and sustainability issues, including doctoral students and early career researchers. Chaired by Dr Rathna Ramanathan, Central Saint Martins, UAL. Speakers: Dr Hena Ali, London College of Communication, UAL, Dr Fehér Bori, Moholy-Nagy University of Art and Design (MOME), Hungary, Dr Rosie Hornbuckle, Centre for Sustainable Design, UAL and Associate Professor Thomas Markussen, University of Southern Denmark.

Panel Four: Contexts - Infrastructures, drivers, narratives

This session offers a critical assessment of the histories and genealogies of practice research in social design. Chaired by Professor Kate Goldsworthy, Centre for Circular Design, UAL. Speakers: Professor Guy Julier, Department of Design, Aalto University, Finland, Associate Professor Eva Knutz, University of Southern Denmark, Dr Lara Salinas, London College of Communication, UAL, and a video contribution by Professor Yoko Akama, RMIT, Australia.

Panel Five: Doctoral study in practice research in social design and design for sustainability

This session reflects on the possibilities and conditions associated with doctoral research in social design that uses or includes practice. Chaired by: Professor Sandy Black, Centre for Sustainable Fashion, UAL. Speakers: Dr Catherine Dormor, Head of Research Programmes, Royal College of Art, Kadian Gosler, PhD researcher, London College of Fashion, UAL, Professor Jeremy Till, Head of Central Saint Martins and Pro-Vice Chancellor of UAL, Dr Alex Wilkie, Department of Design, Goldsmiths College, University of London, and a video contribution by  Professor Laurene Vaughan, RMIT, Australia.

Panel 6: Futures for practice research in social design - Opportunities, challenges, demands

This session anticipates some of the future opportunities and challenges facing those carrying out, enabling or participating in practice research in social design. Chaired by Professor Ramia Maze, London College of Communication, UAL. Speakers: Professor Rachel Cooper, Lancaster Institute for the Contemporary Arts, Professor Joyce Yee, School of Design, Northumbria University and video contributions from Dr Ahmed Ansari, New York University, United States and Dr Andrea Botero, Aalto University, Finland and Universidad de Los Andes, Colombia.