Design research is an important way that UAL connects creative practice and social purpose, which is embedded in the university’s new strategy for 2022-32.
To further establish the field of design research, the Social Design Institute worked to define and articulate the potential and implications of practice research in social design.
Practice research in design can serve an engine for embedded and collectively driven change. The resources on this page, aimed at researchers, PhD students, educators and partners for research, illuminate and showcase the variety of approaches and positions taken in carrying out practice research and the outcomes achieved.
Exploring and articulating
To develop a new articulation of practice research design, the Social Design Institute team worked with colleagues and PhD researchers across the university through exploratory workshops, mapping activities and desk research. The main outputs were:
- An international symposium (PDF 2747) at Chelsea College of Arts on 19-20 May 2022, bringing together different perspectives on practice research.
- A new working paper by Dr Patrycja Kaszynska, Professor Lucy Kimbell and Dr Jocelyn Bailey providing a nuanced exploration of what practice research means in design and the arts. Practice Research In Design: Towards a novel definition (PDF 1,269KB)
- A collection of videos showcasing examples of practice research in design by UAL staff and PhD researchers.
- A set of short case studies providing perspectives on practice research by UAL staff.
- A collaborative bibliography on practice research for UAL colleagues and PhD researchers.
- A track on ‘Practice Research as a Form of Inquiry’ at the Design Research Society 2022 Conference in Bilbao chaired by Dr Patrycja Kaszynska (UAL) with Dr Thomas Markussen and Dr Eva Knutz (Southern Denmark University).
Practice Research Symposium 2022
On 19/20 May 2022, the Social Design Institute brought together international and UK academics and PhD researchers from different design disciplines, positions and perspectives for the Symposium on Practice Research: Definitions, Contexts, Futures where key foundational topics relating to practice research in design were explored. The event provided a forum for critical discussion of the possibilities and consequences of this form of research and development, and the contexts in which it has emerged.
Symposium recordings are available to view:
- Opening Panel: Setting the Scene
- Panel Two: Definitions - Knowledge, boundaries, interventions, methodologies
- Panel Three: Realities of doing design practice research
- Panel Four: Contexts - Infrastructures, drivers, narratives
- Panel Five: Doctoral study in practice research in social design and design for sustainability
- Panel Six: Futures for practice research in social design: Opportunities, challenges, demands
Read an overview of the full event, including biographies of participating speakers (PDF 2,747KB)
This symposium was convened by the Social Design Institute in collaboration with the Centre for Sustainable Fashion, Centre for Circular Design, and Design Against Crime Research Centre.
Opening Panel: Setting the Scene
Chaired by Professor Lucy Kimbell
Case Studies
Dr Jocelyn Bailey worked with researchers from across UAL to produce a set of short case studies, offering different perspectives on practice research and the multifarious ways it can contribute to achieving social purpose outcomes.
- Dr Francesco Mazzarella (LCF) on the ReGo project (PDF 274KB)
- Dr Laetitia Forst (BFTT and Centre for Circular Design) on the Re-modelling Fashion project (PDF 276KB)
- Dr Silvia Grimaldi (LCC) on the Camden Family Changemakers Project (PDF 1.7MB)
- Dr Roxanne Leitão (former PhD student at UAL) on Technology-initiated Intimate Partner Abuse (PDF 532 KB)
Video Showcase
Staff and PhD researchers from several design disciplines across UAL present their practice research in design in relation to social design and sustainability. The videos are organised in 3 different themes, presenting a range of positions and perspectives.
Social justice and activism
Carlotta Allum, PhD Researcher, UAL
Carlotta Allum, PhD Researcher at Central Saint Martins, talks about her story work with prisoners and how encouraging prisoners to tell their story creatively can aid rehabilitation, by helping them to envision a better future.
Adrienne Bennie, PhD Researcher, UAL
Adrienne Bennie, PhD Researcher at Chelsea College of Arts, presents her current research on hostile architecture.
Daniella Jenkins, PhD Researcher, UAL
Daniella Jenkins, PhD Researcher at Social Design Institute, sets out her study of gender inequality with regard to pensions and what might be done about it, working towards the design of a pension that reflects the working lives and life patterns of women.
Dr Francesco Mazzarella, Senior Lecturer in Fashion and Design for Social Change, Centre for Sustainable Fashion, UAL
Dr Francesco Mazzarella, Senior Lecturer in Fashion and Design for Social Change at the Centre for Sustainable Fashion, talks about his work on Re-Go, a practice research project that draws upon fashion activism and storytelling to shift the narrative around youth violence.
Dr Nela Milic, Contextual and Theoretical Studies Coordinator, London College of Communication, UAL
Dr Nela Milic describes how the use of social and participatory arts at a local level can facilitate collaboration, mobilising expertise for the benefit of the community.
Net zero and climate
Professor Kate Goldsworthy, Chair of Circular Design & Innovation and Co-Director, Centre for Circular Design, UAL
Prof Kate Goldsworthy, Chair of Circular Design & Innovation and Co-Director of the Centre for Circular Design at Chelsea College of Arts, presents the ‘Fast-Forward Fashion’ project, specifically the development of ‘Pulp-It’, a sustainable and inexpensive fabric with an intentionally short lifespan that can be recycled or industrially composted.
Dr Rosie Hornbuckle, Senior Research Fellow, Centre for Circular Design, UAL
Dr Rosie Hornbuckle, Senior Research Fellow at UAL’s Centre for Circular Design and Service Futures Lab talks about bringing together different experts and stakeholders in order to create a new circular system for textiles.
Dr Lara Salinas, Senior Lecturer and Research Fellow, London College of Communication, UAL
Dr Lara Salinas, Senior Lecturer and Research Fellow at London College of Communication, describes how she works with Southwark Borough Council in South London to embed design in local governance, particularly within the context of climate emergency and net zero.
Jessica Saunders, PhD Researcher and Programme Director for the Fashion Programme London College of Fashion, UAL
Jessica Saunders, PhD Researcher and Programme Director for the Fashion Programme at London College of Fashion, talks about her work to develop policy in the area of safe electronic textile disposal.
Health, wellbeing and safety
Claudette Davis-Bonnick, PhD Researcher at London College of Communication and Associate Lecturer at London College of Fashion
Claudette Davis-Bonnick, PhD Researcher at London College of Communication and Associate Lecturer at London College of Fashion, shares her practice-based research into how people with vision impairment can access teaching and learning in creative arts institutions and mainstream education.
Kadian Gosler, PhD Researcher, London College of Fashion, UAL
Kadian Gosler, PhD Researcher at London College of Fashion, talks about her studies in the development of an experience-driven bra wearables process.
Dr Malé Luján Escalante, Senior Lecturer, London College of Communication, UAL
Dr Malé Luján Escalante, Senior Lecturer at London College of Communication, UAL talks about her research which explores how to ‘do’ ethics though design.
Prof Alison Prendiville, Professor of Service Design, London College of Communication, UAL
Prof Alison Prendiville, Professor of Service Design at London College of Communication, describes working with local communities in rural India to tackle antimicrobial resistance through the use of design techniques to develop new diagnostic tools.