Theme

Biodesign is a recent discipline that manipulates living matter and translates scientific discoveries and methods into real-world applications. Through this open call, we seek exemplary representations that open inquiry into the interdisciplinary experimental methods of manipulation with biological systems for design purposes. Although some specialization and knowledge has emerged from working with specific organisms such as algae, mycelium and bacteria for example; the variety and vastness of the natural sciences require a greater understanding of the intricacies of the collaborative nature and interrelationships between lab protocols, scientific tools and methods and the tools and techniques for design production.

The Biodesign discipline is broad in scale and scope, reaching towards solving complex ecological issues such as climate breakdown, pollution, biodiversity loss and social justice. Issues where existing tools, software and equipment can't seem to assist within existing formats. As a result, the ingenuity of biodesigners to adapt, transform and invent new interdisciplinary methods is an emerging space. We are looking at presenting and discussing the invention of new technical skills, toolkits and machines that allow for propagation, monitoring, decomposition, bioremediation, extraction, manipulation, simulation and extermination of living systems for the advancement of the discipline of Biodesign. 

We aim at gathering recent work that is reconfiguring the boundaries of disciplines presenting hybridization of frameworks for integration of scientific methods and design processes that can range from bespoke bioreactors, incubators, bio printing machines, software, imaging for research, documentation, and representation.

The Bio-Calibrated: Tools and Techniques of Biodesign Practices Symposium welcomes projects, questions, speculations and provocative solutions that position themselves within the given themes as well as others that might define their own conceptual territory in relation to this new multidisciplinary creative field. 

Submission Guidelines

All submissions must be original and not simultaneously submitted to another symposium, journal or conference. The following categories are welcome:

Short Papers

 Submissions (2,000 words) are invited for submission. Accepted papers will be invited to be presented in-person or online at the symposium. Short paper submissions will be blind peer reviewed. 

Projects

We are requesting a video format submission for the Projects call category. Projects will be published digitally on the symposium website. Submissions will be peer reviewed and selected submissions may be invited to be presented in the plenary sessions and/or participate in a discussion panel during the symposium. 

Video submission guidelines HD 1920x1080 *.MP4 FormatUp to 2 minutes duration 

Committees

Program Committee

• Nancy Diniz, Course Leader MA Biodesign CSM
• Carole Collet. Professor in Design for Sustainable Futures CSM, Maison/0 Director CSM
• Dr Lorraine Archer, Associate Lecturer in Environmental Science MA Biodesign CSM
• Dr Alejandro Luna, Associate Lecturer in Biodiversity, Sustainability and Innovation MA Biodesign CSM
• Dr Alice Taylor, Lecturer in Biology and Living Systems MA Biodesign CSM
• Thora Arnardottir, Associate Lecturer In Interdisciplinary Studios MA Biodesign CSM
• Jon Flint, Lecturer in Design and Fabrication MA Biodesign CSM

Organizing committee

• Scott Ramsay Kyle, Senior Lecturer and Coordinator for Programme Enhancement JTM CSM
• Lucrezia Alessandroni, Visiting Practitioner MA Biodesign CSM
• Sinead Butt, JTM External Liaison Coordinator CSM
• Gigi Coley, JTM Course Support Administrator CSM

Contact

mabiodesign@csm.arts.ac.uk